Animal Services & Licensing

Raccoons are susceptible to Canine Distemper.  This virus does not pose a threat to human health but may be transmitted to dogs who have not received vaccinations.  If you suspect a raccoon is affected, please contact Essex County K9 Services - (519) 791-6203

Normal Racoon Behaviour

• In a tree: normal behaviour.  Should move on within 24 to 48 hours.
• Sleeping on a deck: normal in an urban area, should leave overnight.  If it returns, frighten away with noise or water from the hose (summer only).
• Out in the day: may have been frightened from its hiding place.  Also normal during breeding season.

Abnormal Racoon Behaviour

• Staggering or appears drunk, falling over, disoriented, paralysis of hind limbs.
• Mucous caked heavily around eyes and nose.
• Over friendly and approaches pets or people.
• Curled up in a ball in an open area of the yard during daylight hours.

Coyotes and foxes are native to North America and can be found living in urban and rural areas. While they are wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible, sightings in Tecumseh do happen.  Tecumseh’s green spaces and forested areas provide excellent habitats.

As much as possible, the Town’s approach is to leave them alone.  Coyotes and foxes naturally fear humans and should remain wild animals as they play an important role in balancing the ecosystem in southern Ontario, helping to control the populations of rabbits, rats and mice.

To ensure coyotes and foxes remain wild animals and avoid interaction with people, check out Coexisting with Wildlife.  Often, conflicts can be prevented if we are willing to make small changes to how we think and act.

If livestock is killed by a dog or wild animal, the owner of the livestock may claim and be compensated for damages through the Town of Tecumseh. The Livestock Valuer appointed by the Town of Tecumseh will need to make an on-site visit to your property to assess the damage and loss of livestock. Please contact the Clerk's Department for the Livestock Valuer's contact information.  

If the matter is a property standards situation (see Property Standards By-Law), please contact the Town to have the issue logged and investigated. For more information on how to control pests, visit our Garbage and Recycling page.

The Town of Tecumseh’s (Town) Pilot Rat Abatement Program for Residential Properties has concluded. 

For more information on what to do regarding ticks and Lyme disease, please see the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit page. 

As of March 1, 2022, the Urban Hens Licensing Pilot Program has been discontinued.  Report LCS-2021-35 - Urban Hens Licensing Pilot Program - Final Report, which was considered at the December 14, 2021 Regular Council Meeting, summarizes the reasons for the discontinuation of the program.

Many people enjoy birds that visit their gardens. Bats consume millions of mosquitoes, and coyotes eat mice and rats. However, conflicts can arise when humans encroach on wildlife habitat and wild animals behave in ways that damage our property, cost us money, or endanger our health or safety.

For more information about managing and protecting plants, animals, land, water, forests and other ecosystems, visit the Province of Ontario's Wildlife and Nature webpage. 

Wildlife Rabies Control Information:

The Government of Ontario website contains information about rabies in Ontario, and what to do if you think you have come into contact with rabies. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit also has information on rabies. 

Factsheet Bat Houses and Rabies 2025 (EN)

Factsheet Bat Houses and Rabies 2025 (FR)