GENERAL INFORMATION ..
Norfolk Animal Control Services helps the public deal with problems caused by dogs. The Animal Control Officer will talk to the complainant about their stray or vicious dog problem and will endeavour to take the necessary steps to solve the problem within a timely manner by enforcing the Provincial and County By-Laws pertaining to dog control and management.
The Municipal Law Enforcement Officers dedicated to Animal Control and Municipal Law Enforcement Services include both private sector service providers and municipal employees and have jurisdiction throughout the County of Norfolk. Each officer is appointed pursuant to the Police Services Act, and all are deemed to be Peace Officers during the performance of their duties.
Maple-Oak Kennels/Norfolk Animal Control Services, works very hard to adopt stray dogs that are nott claimed by their owner through newspaper advertising and the help of a network of rescue organizations. We also work closely with the Norfolk OPP Officers when called in to assist. Animal Control personnel works very hard to locate the owner of a lost dog that comes into temporary care, however, if the owner isn't found, then Animal Control will begin the process of finding a good home for these abandoned dogs through adoption or placement with an outside rescue organization.
If anybody in Ontario finds a dog that fits the description of a Pit Bull as described under the Provincial Dog Owner's Liability Act, the Pit Bull MUST be turned over to their local Municipal Pound Facility. Contrary to what information you may hear, a Municipal Pound Facility is the ONLY facility allowed under the Provincial Act to hold a Pit Bull. If you turn a Pit Bull into a Humane Society or Veterinarian, they are required by the Provincial act to turn the Pit Bull over to a Municipal Pound immediately. A Pit Bull cannot be bred, sold, given away, bartered or transferred to anyone in Ontario and must remain with the original owner until the dog expires. See Dog Owner's Liability Act.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Q. Can I Buy A Norfolk Dog Tag From My Veterinarian?
A. NO, Norfolk County dog tags are sold at the various libraries in
Norfolk County, the County Offices in your area, Paws & Claws,
Paulmac's Pet Food, Pet Valu and Ruffin's Pet Stores, Simcoe &
District Humane Society and Maple-Oak Kennels (Animal Control)
in St. Williams. The veterinarians in Norfolk County DO NOT sell
Norfolk County Dog Tags and these should not be confused
with the rabies tag.
Q. What happens if I don't buy a current Norfolk County Dog tag every year?
A. You will be subject to fines under the Norfolk County By-laws.
Click on the above heading "Schedule Of Fees" and at the bottom of page
you will see the fines and amounts. If your dog loses a tag, then they are
"Free Of Charge" to replace.
Q. How Much Does It Cost Me To Turn In A Stray Dog?
A. There is no charge for Norfolk Animal Control to come out to your home to pick up a stray dog you have found or if you bring a stray dog into the pound/shelter. It is important that a stray dog be turned over to Maple-Oak Kennels/Norfolk Animal Control who provide the canine control service for the entire Norfolk County area where the dog was found. This assists owners greatly in knowing where to start their search for their lost dog. If you choose to find the owner on your own, and make every effort to do so, then that is your choice but be aware that there may be circumstances regarding that found dog you may not be aware of that we cannot discuss with you either, so please do not keep the dog just because YOU can't find the owner. If you have exhausted all efforts after a couple of days, then call us. We have a long list of "missing dogs". Please let us do our job of getting the dog back to the rightful owner. You definitely wouldn't want someone keeping your lost dog. There are always different circumstances surrounding lost/found dogs that you may not be aware of, such as the dog originally being reported stolen, or the dog may be a "companion dog" for someone with a disability or the dog itself may be on special medications for a condition.
Q. How Long Do You Keep A Dog That Comes Into the Pound?
A. Stray dogs are held for a minimum of 3 days (72 hours) as per Provincial law in order to give owners time to find them. Dogs that are not claimed by their owner after the 72 hour mandatory period has expired, that we consider adoptable, will be always be made available for adoption.
(Contrary to the general belief by people with regard to pound facilities, euthanasia is NOT a normal option for the Norfolk County Muncipal Pound unless a dog is sick or injured to the point that a vet determines it is humanely better for the dog, or if it is determined that a dog is considered vicious and a risk to public safety or it is ordered by the court. Most dogs that come into the pound that are NOT claimed by their owner, are friendly and considered adoptable, even the older healthy dogs find new homes. We make every effort to find these dogs a new forever home ourselves through adoption or through community human societies or registered rescues.)
We are available for comment on the above issues or any variety of pet-related issues and our goal first and foremost, is to make sure lost pets find their way home safe again to their families. |
