Animal Control Services

Responsibility to Care for Dogs

It is the responsibility of a dog owner within the Township of North Huron to ensure that their dog is provided with, a clean and sanitary environment free from an accumulation of fecal matter, odour, insect infestations or rodent attractants that disturb or are likely to disturb the enjoyment, comfort, convenience of a person or may endanger the health of any person or animal, and adequate and appropriate care, food, water, shelter, and opportunity for physical activity. 

Dog owners must clean up their dog's waste on any property other than their own. This includes private and public property. Owners must abide by “stop and scoop” regulations. All dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash at all times.

Vicious Dogs

In accordance with the North Huron Animal Control By-law, an owner of a vicious dog must post "Beware of Dog" signs on the perimeter of the property that the dog resides. 

An owner of a vicious dog must keep the vicious dog confined within the premises, or keep the dog confined in an enclosed pen of sufficient dimension and construction to provide humane shelter for the dog while preventing the dog from escape and preventing entry from unsupervised children. 

No owner of a vicious dog should allow for their dog to be walked by a person under eighteen (18) years of age and will ensure that the vicious dog is muzzled and leashed. 

No person can walk a pit bull and or pit bull crosses, unless they are muzzled and leashed and owners must ensure that they comply with all other aspects and conditions as stated in this by-law and also Ontario Regulation 157/05 Pit Bull Controls. No owner of a pit bull and or pit bull cross can allow for the dog to be walked by a person under eighteen (18) years of age. 

Pit bulls are also subject to the regulations under the Dog Owner's Liability Act (DOLA). 

It is the responsibility of a dog owner to ensure that their dog is not running at large in the Township of North Huron. The owner of every dog within the Township of North Huron must restrain their dog with a leash when it is not on land or within any building or structure owned or leased by the owner of such dog or is not within any building in which the owner temporarily or permanently resides. 

The running at large of dogs is prohibited within the Township and the owner of any dog found running at large will be guilty of a breach of this by-law and liable, on conviction, to the penalty provided in the North Huron Fees and Charges By-law.