Animal Services

Pet By-Law

By-Law Number 2017-09-036

This is a by-law to regulate the keeping and control of animals, or any class thereof, the animal identification system, licencing and the restraint of dogs and cats and certain other aspects of animal control within the Corporation of the Township of Laurentian Valley

Section 4

4. Licensing and animal identification system

(a) The owner of every dog three (3) months of age or older, within (3) days of his / her becoming such, shall cause it to be licensed with a valid pet tag, numbered and described with the Township, which provision shall be called the Animal Identification System.

(b) The owner of every cat three (3) months of age or older, within three (3) days of his/ her becoming such, shall cause it to be registered with a valid pet tag, numbered and described with the Township, which provision shall be called the Animal Identification system.

The Pet Tag, Registration and Identification Fees are as follows:

For all Sterilized Pets:

• Before March 31 in any year $15
• After March 31 in any year $25 

For all Unsterilized Pets:

• Before March 31 in any year $20
• After March 31 in any year $30

'Dangerous Dog" $500

For all Service Dogs:

• Before March 31 in any year $0
• After March 31 in any year $0

And such license and registration shall expire on December 31st of each year.

(c) The owner of every dog or cat shall not claim such dog or cat to be sterilized when such dog or cat is not sterilized and wrongful claiming shall subject the owner or harbourer to the penalty provided for in this By-Law.

(d) Upon payment of the required fee, the owner shall be furnished with a tag for each dog or cat owned by him with a serial number and the year in which it was issued marked thereon and the owner shall keep said tag securely fixed on the dog or cat for which it was issued at all times during the year or until he procures a tag for the following year. A record shall be kept by the licencing officer showing the name and address of the owner and the serial number on the tag. In the event that a tag is lost, the person to whom it was issued shall immediately claim another from the Licence Issuer and shall pay, therefore, the sum of TWO DOLLARS ($2.00) for each tag.

(e) Every owner or harbourer of a dog or cat shall obtain a tag and keep it securely fixed on his dog or cat and shall not affix the tag upon a dog or cat other than the dog or cat for which the said tag was issued. Affixing a tag upon a dog or cat other than the dog or cat for which the said tag was issued shall subject the owner or the harbourer to the penalty provided for in this By-Law.

(f) Section 4 of this By-Law does not apply to police dogs during the course of fulfilling their duties.

(g) Section 4 of this By-Law does not apply to M.N.R. dogs during the course of fulfilling their duties.

[Read the full by-law]

Provincial Legislation

Definitions

(1) In this Act,

“owner”, when used in relation to a dog, includes a person who possesses or harbours the dog and, where the owner is a minor, the person responsible for the custody of the minor; (“propriétaire”)

“pit bull” includes,

(a) a pit bull terrier,

(b) a Staffordshire bull terrier,

(c) an American Staffordshire terrier,

(d) an American pit bull terrier,

(e) a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d); (“pit-bull”)

“pound” has the same meaning as in the Animals for Research Act; (“fourrière”)

“regulation” means a regulation made under this Act. (“règlement”) R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 1; 2005, c. 2, s. 1 (2).

Same

(2) In determining whether a dog is a pit bull within the meaning of this Act, a court may have regard to the breed standards established for Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers or American Pit Bull Terriers by the Canadian Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club or the American Dog Breeders Association. 2005, c. 2, s. 1 (3).

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2005, c. 2, s. 1 (2, 3) - 29/08/2005

Civil liability

Liability of owner

(1) The owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 2 (1).

Where more than one owner

(2) Where there is more than one owner of a dog, they are jointly and severally liable under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 2 (2).

Extent of liability

(3) The liability of the owner does not depend upon knowledge of the propensity of the dog or fault or negligence on the part of the owner, but the court shall reduce the damages awarded in proportion to the degree, if any, to which the fault or negligence of the plaintiff caused or contributed to the damages. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 2 (3).

Contribution by person at fault

(4) An owner who is liable to pay damages under this section is entitled to recover contribution and indemnity from any other person in proportion to the degree to which the other person's fault or negligence caused or contributed to the damages. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 2 (4).

Application of Occupiers' Liability Act

3 (1) Where damage is caused by being bitten or attacked by a dog on the premises of the owner, the liability of the owner is determined under this Act and not under the Occupiers' Liability Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 3 (1).

Protection of persons or property

(2) Where a person is on premises with the intention of committing, or in the commission of, a criminal act on the premises and incurs damage caused by being bitten or attacked by a dog, the owner is not liable under section 2 unless the keeping of the dog on the premises was unreasonable for the purpose of the protection of persons or property. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 3 (2).

Please visit the Province of Ontario's website for the complete legislation.