Responsible Dog Ownership

Dog Licensing

Canine Control

Urban Wildlife

Be a Responsible Dog Owner

West Perth's Dog Licensing Control By-law contains many provisions to support a community where dogs, their owners and neighbours can live in harmony. Therefore, dog owners should be mindful of the following:

• License your dog:

• Not only is it a West Perth by-law, it is protection for your dog.  Licensing your dog could play a critical role in identifying your dog should it become lost.  Additionally, owners of dogs that are licensed and wearing a tag when they become lost often pay little or no cost in having their dog returned safely to them.
                                

• Pick up after your dog:

• It's civilized and expected of you, and it's required under the West Perth by-law. Let's enjoy our parks and green spaces together.                            

• Use a leash:

• Keep your dog on a leash at all times when in public areas.                   

• Take your dog to the Vet for regular check-ups:

• Ensure Vaccinations are up to date   

• Choose the right dog and Treat your dog responsibly:
• It takes more than food, water and exercise to keep an animal healthy. It also takes care and common sense. For example, don't keep dogs in parked vehicles in the summer because temperatures can be extremely high – many pets die each year in these circumstances.

  It pays to be responsible

  Did you know that being irresponsible dog owner can be costly? Dog owners found to be in violation of West Perth’s. By-laws may be subject to canine control fees to retrieve their dog, fines, or the costs of an expensive prosecution. 

 

License Your Dog – It's the Law

The Municipality of West Perth has a Dog Licensing and Control By-law, requiring every owner of a dog over the age of three (3) months to register the dog and obtain an annual dog tag license for each dog owned by that owner within ten (10) days after the dog comes into his possession. 

How do I get a dog license?

You can purchase your dog license at the Municipal Office (169 St. David Street, Mitchell) during regular business hours.

How much does a dog license cost?

Current dog licensing rates are as follows:

Before May 31st	After May 31st
First Dog = $15.00	First Dog = $30.00
Second Dog = $20.00	Second Dog = $40.00
Third Dog = $25.00	Third Dog = $50.00
Replacement Tag = $2.00	Replacement Tag = $2.00

Service Animals = While Service Animals must be registered, no fee shall be applied.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of three (3) dogs may be licensed for a given property.

In exchange, you will receive an identification tag that must always be displayed on the dog's collar (this includes dogs that have a microchip identification implant). This tag cannot be transferred to another animal.

How long is a dog license valid for?

Dog licenses are valid for the given calendar year (January 1 - December 31).  Additionally, a license shall expire and become void upon the sale, death or disposal of a dog by the owner.  

Licensing could play a critical role in helping to identify your dog, should it become lost.

Canine Control

West Perth’s Canine Control program is governed through the Dog Licensing and Control By-law.  Residents should be mindful that enforcement of the By-law requires staff and financial resources.  Owners being responsible for and licensing their dogs will help significantly in controlling the costs of this program.

Who do I contact if I find a stray dog?

If your require assistance during regular business hours (8:30 am to 5:00 pm), please contact the Municipal office at
(519) 348 - 8429.  Outside of regular office hours, please contact (519) 301 - 7477.  Should you require assistance outside of regular hours with a stray dog that is an immediate danger to yourself or the public, please contact the Police.

West Perth has a Canine Control Officer who will respond to retrieve stray dogs.  Please note that the Canine Control Officer requires prior authorization from the Municipality to respond, and will not respond directly to resident requests.

I have lost my dog.  Who do I call?

In addition to speaking with your neighbours to see if they can assist, we suggest that you start by calling the Municipal office at (519) 348 - 8429.  We would be aware of stray dogs which have been retrieved by the Canine Control Officer and often times, have knowledge from residents as to their spotting of stray dogs.

The Municipality contracts with the South Huron Veterinary Clinic (20 Main Street, Zurich) for Boarding stray dogs.  Therefore, if your dog has been retrieved by the Canine Control Officer, it would be delivered there.  South Huron Veterinary Clinic may be contacted directly at
(519) 236 - 4301.

Additionally, in the past, stray dogs have been delivered directly by residents or passing motorists to the OSPCA in Stratford or local veterinary clinics.  Contacting these agencies may provide some assistance to you as well.

If my dog has strayed, what must I do to retrieve it?

If your dog has been retrieved and has a current license and is wearing its tag, there should be little, if any, cost to have your dog returned to you.  Once we are notified by someone of a stray dog, and if we can acquire the tag number, we will simply notify you as to where you can go to retrieve your dog.

However, if your dog is not licensed and/or not wearing a tag, return of your dog will be much more costly.  In addition to the extra time and money you will need to spend to travel to the Boarding Facility to retrieve your dog, you will also be required to pay the Municipality’s costs for the Canine Control Officer, as well as all of the fees required by the Boarding Facility.  Your dog will not be released without you paying all of the required fees.

If I am in violation of the Canine Control By-law, what fine(s) might I expect to receive?

Under the Dog Licensing and Control By-law, every person who contravenes the provisions of the by-law would be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, might expect to receive the following fine(s):

Urban Wildlife 

There are many forms of urban wildlife in our Community including, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, groundhogs, bats, and various types of birds.  Such wildlife may present itself in locations and at times of the day which might not normally be expected, but as wildlife, they do often times continue along if left unimpeded.  As such, the Municipality encourages residents to keep their distance and not to approach urban wildlife, especially if it appears tame, injured or sick.  Residents are also encouraged to ensure their household pets avoid contact with urban wildlife. 

If I Encounter a Problem with Urban Wildlife, who do I Contact?

West Perth’s animal control by-laws deal only with domestic dogs.  However, while the Municipality does not provide urban wildlife control services, residents are encouraged to contact the Municipality should they encounter unusually behaving or dead wildlife on Municipal property, including parks and roadways. 

Living in Harmony with Urban Wildlife

Living in Harmony with Urban Wildlife is about finding a balance between human uses of land and the habitat needs of wildlife. Because of increasing urban development, wild animals are forced to live in closer proximity with humans. With few alternatives available, they have no choice but to enter our homes, parks, and even downtown commercial area in search of food and shelter. Urban areas provide a close proximity between food, water and shelter and thereby create environments that many wild life species find inviting.

Prevention or the ability to “Wild Proof” your home is considered the most effective, humane and inexpensive method of dealing with urban wildlife. It is the most humane as it is the least traumatic manner to reduce conflict as it can be achieved prior to wildlife “moving in”.  Here's a handy check list you can use to wild proof your home:

• Chimney: Check the cap and flashing annually.
• Roof: Inspect shingles, roof and vents to make sure they are secure and in good repair.
• Eavestrough: Clean out regularly to prevent a build-up of debris.
• Soffit: Repair or replace any loose or rotten soffits.
• Facia: Repair or replace any loose or rotten siding
• Make necessary repairs to all weak, damaged or rotten siding and exterior materials.
• Screen all vents (i.e. dryer, stove, etc.)
• Windows: Repair or seal any holes/openings in windows.
• Fill window boxes with dirt or make sure they are screened over.
• Clean out window wells and place a secure screen over top.
• Lighting Fixtures: Keep in good repair and seal. Birds tend to nest in and on them.
• Ornamental Fixtures and Mailboxes: Clean and check regularly.
• Garage: Keep closed up and sealed as described for house exterior. Never leave open overnight or for extended periods.
• Decks and Stairways: Enclose any open areas or make necessary repairs.
• Sheds or Other: Enclose area beneath structure. Follow the same steps as with House Exterior and Garage.
• Pools: Fence perimeter to prevent animals from falling in.
• Barbeques: Especially if stored outside, regularly clean food remnants from grill area.
• Garbage: Never leave household garbage unprotected outside your house or garage.
• Clean up all debris in yard, including leaves, branches, flower garden waste etc.