Canine Control

Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership

Dog ownership is about caring for a dog and ensuring that it is socially acceptable. Owning a dog brings many rewards, but also responsibilities in which dog owners need to be educated about. A careful balance of education and enforcement is necessary to ensure the citizens and dogs in our County live safely and harmoniously together.
Learn the laws concerning your pet and abide by them, prevent your dog from being impounded and you receiving possible fines.

We are available during regular hours of operation to answer any questions you may have with regard to the canine by-laws in Norfolk County and information regarding the Dog Owner's Liability Act.

Barking Dogs

Barking dogs are an annoyance and a nuisance. Barking falls under the Noise By-law enforced by the muncipal noise by-laws.

You should make an effort to speak to the dog owner first in a civil manner before making a complaint to the By-Law Officer. 

Dog Owners’ Liability Act

Our web site gives a summary to help dog owners understand their obligations and responsibilities. Dog Owners’ Liability Act.

Canine Control By-Law 2005-267  -  This By-Law can be accessed through the Norfolk County Website    By-Law 2005-267

We are empowered by the Mayor & Council of Norfolk County to enforce the    Dog Control By-Law 2005-267, the Provincial laws as stated in the "Dog Owners Liability Act", the "Animals for Research Act" and the "Livestock, Poultry and Honeybee Protection Act"

If you are an owner of any dog we would like to advise you of the amendments to the Dog Owners’ Liability Act that came into effect on August 29, 2005. It is your responsibility to know all laws pertaining to owning a dog in Norfolk County. 

Charges may be laid against any dog owner where a dog has bitten or attacked

OR

Behaved in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals.

OR

Where the dog owner did not exercise reasonable steps to prevent a dog from doing any of the above.

Penalties under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act offence proceedings can be up to a $10,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment ($60,000 for corporations). If the Court finds that the dog has bitten or attacked a person or domestic animal, and the court is satisfied that an order is necessary for the protection of the public, the court may order:

• That the dog be destroyed in the manner specified in the order; or
• That the owner of the dog take measures for the more effective control of the dog such as:
• Confining the dog to it’s owners’ property
• Restraining the dog by means of a leash
• Muzzling the dog while off the owners’ property
• Posting warning signs

or;

That the owner be prohibited from owning another dog during a specified period of time. Any dog subject to one of these orders, other than the destruction order, must be spayed or neutered within 30 days of the order or within a different period of time, if the court specifies one. In exercising its powers to make an order, the court may take into consideration the following circumstances:

• The dog’s past and present temperament and behavior.
• The seriousness of the injuries caused by the biting or attack.
• Unusual contributing circumstances tending to justify the dog’s action.
• The improbability that a similar attack will be repeated.
• The dog’s physical potential for inflicting harm
• Precautions taken by the owner to preclude similar attacks in the future.
• If the dog is a restricted or prohibited pit bull under the legislation and whether the dog owner has complied with their responsibilities under the law.
• Any other circumstances that the court considers to be relevant.

Information in this web page is a summary only, taken from provincial information bulletins and from the Dog Owners’ Liability Act and it’s regulations. For complete and accurate information, please see the Act and Regulations and the source(s) of the information bulletins by reading the Dog Owners' Liability Act or visiting the web site of the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario.

"Buddy Just Chill'n"

 ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION

A Friendly Reminder

• Dog owners are required to purchase a current Norfolk County dog tag for each dog before February 1st each year and secure the tag on the dog’s collar. 
• Your dog cannot run at large or trespass on any property without permission from the property owner
• You must be in care and control of your dog at all times so keep your dog on a leash when in public and if you own a legal Pit Bull, the dog must be registered with Norfolk County, spayed/neutered, walked with a leash and muzzled when off your property. 
• You must have your dog secured in a crate or properly tied down in the back of an open pick-up truck.  
• When walking your dog, be responsible and pick up and remove your dog’s waste in plastic bag.

  SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION  

    TILLY WHEN SHE CAME INTO POUND

TILLY TODAY IN HER NEW HOME!