Animal Services

The Municipality of Huron East ensures a safe and healthy environment for both animals and residents in our community by enforcing Animal Control By-law 077-2022.

Huron East employs a By-law Enforcement Officer to ensure all regulations outlined in the by-law are followed. All dogs in the Municipality are required to have a dog tag.

By-laws and fines

Animal Control By-law 77-2022 regulates animal care and control within Huron East. Listed below are some common inquiries made by Huron East residents.

Number of dogs

No more than two (2) dogs may be harboured, at any time, in a dwelling unit located within urban areas of the municipality. No more than three (3) dogs may be harboured, at any time, in a dwelling within rural areas of the Municipality.

A person may harbour more than three (3) dogs at a premise without a kennel licence, provided all the following conditions are met:

the person is keeping livestock upon the same premises;
the premises is on land that is zoned agricultural;
the dogs are licenced annually in accordance with the by-law; and
the dogs are livestock guardian and/or herding dogs

Dogs running at large

All dogs must be leashed or under control when not on the owner's property. If a dog strays, it may be impounded at the owner's expense for 'running at large'.

Causing a disturbance

No person shall permit a dog or dogs to persistently howl, bark or whine for periods in excess of 15 minutes.

Removal of dog excrement

Dog excrement must be removed forthwith from all public and private lands within the boundaries of the Municipality.

Penalities

Any person who contravenes any section of By-law 077-2022 is guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to a fine in accordance with the provisions of the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, C. P.33, as amended.

Carcass removal

Please note that the Municipality does not have the authority to remove carcasses on privately owned properties and roadways outside of the Municipality.

To report the need for a carcass to be removed from public property, please contact the Public Works Department at 519-527-0160 ext. 31.

Kennel licencing

Requirements for operating a Kennel within Huron East can be found in Sect. 7, Animal Control By-law 077-2022 .

To obtain a Kennel License, please submit an application to the Municipal Clerk. Once approved by the Clerk, the By-law Enforcement Officer will be in contact with you to arrange a date/time for an initial Kennel inspection. After inspection you can arrange to visit town hall to pay the $150.00 fee and obtain a permit.

Kennel Licenses need to be renewed annually following inspection by the Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer.

Lost and found pets

If you see a dog running at large please contact the Clerk at Town Hall to request our Dog Catcher services, or if you have lost your dog, please contact the Seaforth Animal Hospital.

Note: The Municipality of Huron East does not provide animal control services for cats or wildlife.

Complaints

To report a violation of By-law 077-2022, please Report It to the Municipal Office.

The By-law Enforcement Officer may wish to contact you to confirm information or ask further questions regarding the issue.

Please note that complaint information is considered confidential and will not be released to the person whose property is under complaint.

Livestock claims

If your livestock, poultry or honey bees have been damaged by wildlife, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affair's website or call 1-877-424-1300 for more information on the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

A soon as you suspect damage to your livestock by wildlife, please contact the Clerk's office at 519-527-0160 ext. 38 to initiate the investigation process.

Animal welfare

As of January 1, 2020, animal protection services in Ontario are managed by the Animal Welfare Services (AWS) team, part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General. AWS enforces the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, ensuring animals across the province are treated with care and respect. For more information on Animal Welfare Services in Ontario, visit the government's website.

To report cases of animal cruelty, abandonment or neglect, please call the Province of Ontario's 24/7 Hotline at 1-833-9ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625). In an emergency, you can also contact your local police.

Wildlife control

Please contact a local pest control company for any wildlife concerns.

Some documents listed on this page may not be accessible to all users. If you require a document in an alternative format, please contact the Clerk's Office at 519-527-0160 ext. 38 or via email at clerk@huroneast.com, and we will work together to best share the information.

Municipality of Huron East
72 Main Street South
PO Box 610
Seaforth ON N0K1W0

Phone: 519-527-0160
Toll Free: 1-888-868-7513
Fax: 519-527-2561

Meaghan McCallum
Clerk