Dogs

The dog licensing program is not a revenue source for the Town. It is a protective program intended to offset the costs associated with regulating and controlling dogs running-at-large, providing a dog catcher, and maintaining the Dog Pound. 

The dog tag also forms an important method of identifying a dog that either has been captured, running-at-large, or found and reported by a neighbour so that it may be returned to its owner. 

Under the Town's Animal Care and Control By-Law (found in our "Frequently Requested By-Laws" listing) an Order designating a dog as dangerous may be issued by the Town's Animal Control Officer or By-Law Enforcement Officer in the event the dog meets certain criteria. Please see our Dangerous Dogs page for further information or to:

• Appeal a Designation
• Request a Designation Suspension

The Dog Owners' Liability Act assists in increasing public safety in relation to dogs, including pit bulls.

The Tecumseh OPP Detachment provides enforcement of the Dog Owners' Liability Act. Please contact 911 for assistance.

The Act includes the following

• Authorize the commencement of a proceeding against a dog owner where the dog poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals, or against a person who contravenes the Act, the regulations made under the Act or a court order made under the Act.
• Adds to the orders that may or shall be made in those proceedings.
• Except as permitted by the Act or regulations under it, in relation to pit bulls, prohibits owning, breeding, transferring, abandoning, importing and training to fight.
• Provide an exception to the prohibition for "restricted pit bulls". These are pit bulls owned by an Ontario resident when the Bill came into force. Owners of restricted pit bulls must ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act and regulations relating to restricted pit bulls. These regulations include:
  • Leashing (less than 1.8 metres in length, of sufficient strength) and muzzling (humanely and sufficiently strong and well fitted to prevent biting) of restricted pit bulls.
  • Spaying or neutering of restricted pit bulls.
  • When kept within enclosed property, the property is enclosed in a way that can be relied on to prevent the pit bull from breaking out of the property.

In accordance with the Town’s Animal Care and Control By-Law, no person shall keep more than three (3) dogs in any one dwelling unit or on any premises.

Please call 519-735-2184 ext. 101 to have the Town`s Dog Registry amended if you no longer own a dog(s).  

The Town's park for dogs is located at 12000 St. Jacques Street - see our Dog Park page for further information.

You are required to clean up after your dog pursuant to the Town By-Laws for Animal Care and Control and Removal of Dog Excrement (found in our "Frequently Requested By-Laws" listing). Failure to clean up after your pet may result in penalties charged against you.

“Running at Large” refers to any dog that is off its Keeper’s property and not under the direct control of a responsible person by means of a leash or other restraint pursuant to the Town's Animal Care and Control By-Law. No Keeper of a dog shall permit the dog to run at large. Failure to prohibit the dog from running at large, may result in a penalty.