Animal Control Regulations, 2019

Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot caccb4f1e0f7 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

2 | 1 7 (b) aggressively pursue or harass a person or animal without provocation. 1.2 Basic Animal Care Requirements 1.2.1 In addition to the requirements of s1.1, a person must not keep an animal unless such animal is provided with: (a) clean potable drinking water at all times and suitable food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth and the maintenance of normal body weight; (b) food and water receptacles which are kept clean and disinfected, and located so as to avoid contamination by excreta; (c) the opportunity for periodic exercise sufficient to maintain good health, including the opportunity to be unfettered from a fixed area and exercised regularly under appropriate control; and (d) necessary veterinary medical care when such animal exhibits signs of pain or suffering. 1.3 Keeping of Outdoor Animals 1.3.1 A person must not keep an animal which normally resides outdoors, or which is kept outdoors for extended periods of time, unless such animal or bird is provided with an outdoor shelter: (a) which ensures protection from heat, cold and dampness that is appropriate to the weight and type of protective outer coat of such animal; (b) which provides sufficient shade to protect the animal from the direct rays of the sun at all times; and (c) which is cleaned and sanitized not less than daily, of all excrement. 1.4 Basic Maintenance 1.4.1 Every owner of an animal shall ensure that excreta deposited on the property of the owner does not accumulate to such an extent that it is reasonably likely to disturb the enjoyment, comfort or convenience of any person in the vicinity of the property or pose a health risk to others. 3 | 1 7 1.4.2 It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal to ensure that their animal does not become a nuisance to persons in the neighborhood by reason of excessive barking, howling or other actions that constitute a nuisance to members of the public, in the sole opinion of the Animal Control Officer. 2.0 HOUSEHOLD PETS 2.1 Maximum Number of Household Pets 2.1.1 A person may keep: (a) a maximum of five (5) household pets in a single dwelling, or double dwelling; or (b) a maximum of three (3) household pets in a row dwelling or multiple-family dwelling; 2.1.2 The limits prescribed in subsection 2.1.1 do not include any litter of puppies or kittens. 2.2 Cats 2.2.1 Every owner of a cat must: (a) ensure that such cat bears sufficient identification to enable any person finding the cat to contact the owner; (b) where such cat is actually or apparently over six (6) months of age, ensure that such cat has been spayed or neutered, as applicable, by a veterinarian; or, (c) ensure that where such cat is not spayed or neutered, such cat is not permitted to be running at large. 2.2.2 The identification required under clause (a) of subsection 2.2.1 may take the form of, but is not limited to, a collar and tag, tattoo, or microchip implant. 2.3 Dogs 2.3.1 General Prohibition 4 | 1 7 2.3.1.1 A person in a single dwelling or a double dwelling must not permit more than three (3) dogs to be kept in such dwelling at any time. 2.3.1.2 A person in a row dwelling or unit within a multiple-family dwelling must not permit more than two (2) dogs to be kept in such unit at any time. 2.3.1.3 The provisions of subsections 2.3.1.1 and 2.3.1.2, do not apply to the housing and training of assistance dogs. 2.3.2 Owner Obligations - Leashing 2.3.2.1 Except as provided for in subsections 2.3.5 and 2.3.6, every owner of a dog: (a) must keep such dog on a leash at all times while on any street or in any public place; and (b) may not permit their dog to run at large. 2.3.3 Owner Obligations - Maintenance 2.3.3.1 Every owner of a dog must ensure that any excrement deposited on any parcel, other than the parcel of the owner, is cleaned up immediately. 2.3.3.2 The provisions of subsection 2.3.3.1 apply to an owner regardless of whether or not the dog is under such owner's care and control at the time of a breach of the provisions of that section. 2.3.3.3 The provisions of subsections 2.3.3.1 and 2.3.3.2 do not apply to the owner of an assistance dog. 2.3.4 Owner Obligations - Confinement 2.3.4.1 Subject to the limitations of subsection 1.1.1, every owner of a dog must ensure that such dog, while on the premises owned or controlled by the owner, is securely confined to the premises. 2.3.4.2 Every owner of a dangerous dog must: 5 | 1 7 (a) ensure that such dangerous dog is not allowed on any street or in any public place, or any other place that is not owned or controlled by that person, unless such dangerous dog is: (i) on a leash not longer than 1.2 metres; and (ii) muzzled; and (iii) under the care and control of an owner who is nineteen (19) years of age or older; and (b) subject to the limitations of subsection 1.1.1, keep such dangerous dog securely confined at all times, either indoors or in an enclosure, while the dangerous dog is on the premises owned or controlled by such person. 2.3.5 Designated Dog Off-Leash Areas 2.3.5.1 An owner may allow their dog to be off-leash in a designated dog off-leash area providing the owner: (a) carries a leash; (b) keeps the dog in view at all times; and (c) maintains effective control of the dog so that the dog immediately returns when signalled. (d) obeys all rules, public notices and codes of conduct that may be posted by the Town that govern the use of a designated off-leash area. 2.3.5.2 As exceptions to subsection 2.3.5.1: (a) No owner may have more than three (3) dogs off-leash at any one time (b) No owner may permit a dangerous dog to be off- leash in a designated dog off-leash area. 2.3.5.3 Every owner of a dog must immediately leash a dog when the dog exhibits aggressive behaviour. 6 | 1 7 2.3.6 Exemption 2.3.6.1 The provisions under subsection 2.3.2.1 and subsection 2.3.5.3 do not apply to an owner of a dog that is conducting wildlife control duties in accordance with a valid contract with the Town or a dog being utilized by law enforcement officers for duties or training related to law enforcement. 2.4 Rabbits 2.4.1 General Requirements 2.4.1.1 Every person keeping rabbits in a one-family dwelling, a two- family dwelling or a multiple-family dwelling must ensure that: (a) such rabbits do not create a nuisance; and (b) all lands and premises where such rabbits are kept, are maintained in a sanitary condition at all times, and that excrement is not permitted to accumulate and cause, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, an objectionable odour or nuisance. 2.4.1.2 A person may keep a maximum of two (2) rabbits in a one- family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or a multiple-family dwelling. 2.5 Birds 2.5.1 General Provisions - All Birds 2.5.1.1 A person must not build, construct, reconstruct or maintain an aviary until the design and location of such aviary has been approved by the Town with respect to building permit requirements for an accessory structure. 2.5.1.2 A person must not feed non-domestic birds in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance or disturb or interfere with the quiet, peace, or enjoyment of another person's property. 3.0 POULTRY 3.1 General Provisions 3.1.1 A person must not keep poultry: 7 | 1 7 (a) on a parcel with an area of less than six hundred (600) square metres; or (b) in, upon, or under any structure used for human habitation; or 3.1.2 A person may keep a maximum of 1 poultry animal per two hundred (200) square meters of total parcel area. 3.1.3 Every person keeping poultry must ensure that: (a) such poultry does not create a nuisance; and (b) all lands and premises where such poultry is kept, are maintained in a sanitary condition at all times, and that excrement is not permitted to accumulate and cause, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, an objectionable odour or nuisance. 4.0 WILD ANIMALS 4.1 General Prohibition 4.1.1 A person must not keep any wild animal in captivity on a parcel unless, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, adequate provision is made to ensure that such wild animal is securely contained on such parcel and poses no risk to public safety. 4.1.2 A person must not keep any wild animal in captivity on a parcel within the Municipal Boundary. 5.0 DOMESTIC FARM ANIMALS 5.1 General Requirements 5.1.1 Every person keeping a domestic farm animal must ensure that: (a) flies and other insects are kept under control by good manure management and by the use of approved insecticides in accordance with the Pesticide Control Regulations, 2012; (b) both the inside and outside of any building, pen, stable, shed or structure housing a domestic farm animal is kept clean; 8 | 1 7 (c) manure does not accumulate on any parcel except in a properly contained manner so that that runoff to public watercourses or onto adjacent properties does not occur; (d) any manure resulting from the keeping of domestic farm animals, that has not been suitably treated by dehydration or composting to stabilize the organic matter, must be incorporated into the soil within eight (8) hours; and (e) any person allowing a domestic farm animal access to an outdoor area must ensure that dust caused by such domestic farm animal is minimized. 5.2 General Prohibition 5.2.1 A person must not keep a domestic farm animal in a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or a multiple-family dwelling. 5.2.2 A person must not keep a domestic farm animal: (a) on a parcel with an area of less than 2,000 square metres; or (b) on a parcel where the ratio of domestic farm animals to parcel area exceeds one (1) domestic farm animal for each 2,000 square metres; or (c) on a parcel located within the Municipal Boundary. 6.0 FURBEARING ANIMALS 6.1 General Prohibition 6.1.1 A person must not keep a furbearing animal in a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or a multiple-family dwelling. 7.0 ANIMAL SHELTER 7.1 Establishment of Animal Shelter 7.1.1 The Council may establish or enter into an agreement with a third party to operate an animal shelter. 8.0 POWERS OF ENFORCEMENT AUTHORY AND COMPLIANCE 9 | 1 7 8.1 Authority of Animal Control Officer - Dogs 8.1.1 An Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large, for up to three (3) days, unless such dog is reclaimed within that time. 8.1.2 If an impounded dog is not reclaimed within three (3) days of impoundment, such dog may be disposed of by an Animal Control Officer, and in a manner at the sole discretion of the Animal Control Officer, sell, give away, place for adoption, or destroy. 8.2 Authority of Animal Control Officer - Dangerous Dogs 8.2.1 Any dangerous dog running at large: (a) may be seized and impounded by an Animal Control Officer; (b) must, upon request, be immediately delivered to the animal shelter or to an Animal Control Officer, by the owner; and (c) may be kept quarantined at the animal shelter for a period of fourteen (14) days at the owner's expense, including the maintenance & impound fees. 8.2.2 An Animal Control Officer may seize and impound a dog if the officer believes, on reasonable grounds, that the dog is a dangerous dog. 8.2.3 An Animal Control Officer may apply to the Provincial Court for an order that a dog, that the officer has reasonable ground to believe is a dangerous dog, be impounded and destroyed in the manner specified in the order. 8.2.4 An Animal Control Officer may enter a place to impound a dangerous dog: (a) with the consent of the owner, or (b) in accordance with an order issued under subsections 8.2.3 or 8.2.5. 8.2.5 A justice who is satisfied by evidence given under oath or affirmation that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is in a place a dog that: 10 | 1 7 (a) has killed or seriously injured a person, (b) is likely to kill or seriously injure a person, or (c) has killed or seriously injured a companion animal or domestic animal, may issue a warrant authorizing an Animal Control Officer to enter and search the place and to seize the dog. 8.2.6 For the purposes of subsection 8.2.5, an Animal Control Officer who is not a police officer or special provincial constable appointed under the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992 must be accompanied by a police officer. 8.2.7 Upon request by an Animal Control Officer, the owner of a dog or dangerous dog which is in contravention of any provision of this regulation must stop and provide to the Animal Control Officer photo identification showing his or her full name and current address. 8.3 Animals in Custody 8.3.1 A person must not release or attempt to release any animal lawfully held in the custody of an Animal Control Officer. 8.4 Reclaiming an Impounded Dog 8.4.1 The owner of any dog impounded under this Part, may reclaim such dog on application to an Animal Control Officer, by: (a) providing proof of ownership and licence of the dog; and, (b) paying in full, the applicable impoundment fees and maintenance fees in the amount set from time to by the Council. 8.4.2 Where the owner of an impounded dog is known, such owner must pay the maintenance fees in the amount set from time to time by the Council, even if the owner fails or neglects to reclaim the impounded dog. 8.4.3 The charging of impoundment fees under clause (b) of subsection 8.4.1 in no way affects, derogates from or takes away from the ability to exercise the authority provided in subsection 8.2.5 to apply for an order that a dog be destroyed. 8.5 Authority of Animal Control Officer - General 11 | 1 7 8.5.1 The Animal Control Officer may seize and impound an animal that is found running at large or kept contrary to these regulations; 8.5.2 An Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any domestic farm animal or poultry found running at large. 8.5.3 An Animal Control Officer may sell any animal impounded under this Part, which have not been reclaimed, and after deducting the impoundment fees and maintenance fees accruing in respect of such animal, and if applicable, the cost of advertising the sale, must retain any surplus within 30 days. 8.5.4 Where the owner of any impounded animal is known, the Town must pay any surplus funds of sale to such owner. 8.5.5 Where, after 3 months from the date of the sale, such owner is unknown, any surplus funds of sale not claimed during that time are forfeited to the Town. 8.5.6 An Animal Control Officer may make provisions to destroy any animal found at large within the Town if such animal is, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, so diseased, injured, vicious or in such condition that it ought to be destroyed. 8.5.7 Where an injured animal is seized and impounded and is treated by a veterinarian, the Town shall, in addition to any impound fees, be entitled to charge the Owner the cost of the treatment. The cost of such treatment shall be recoverable from the Owner before the animal is released to the Owner. In the event that the Owner does not claim the animal, the amount payable to the Council may be recovered from the Owner as a civil debt and shall attach to the property as a secured claim. 8.6 Reclaiming of Other Animals 8.6.1 Any impounded animal other than a dog, a cat or poultry, may be reclaimed by the owner prior to the date of the advertised sale, upon proof of ownership, and payment to an Animal Control Officer, of the applicable impoundment fees and maintenance fees. 8.6.2 Any impounded poultry may be reclaimed by the owner prior to the date of disposal of such poultry, upon proof of ownership, and payment to an Animal Control Officer, of the applicable impoundment fees and maintenance fees. 12 | 1 7 8.7 Authority of the General Public 8.7.1 Any animal which is not under the control of its Owner and is found damaging or destroying private property, or fouling any public or private property with excrement or being a nuisance due to roaming on private property may be seized by the property owner, its agent or person injuriously affected and held for collection until the Animal Control Officer arrives. 9.0 DISPOSAL OF DECEASED ANIMALS 9.1 Owner Obligations - Deceased Animals 9.1.1 Owners of a deceased animal shall: (a) promptly dispose of the carcass by burial on a parcel of the same owner; or (b) a deceased animal may be disposed of at the Labrador West Regional Landfill. 9.1.2 Owners of a deceased domestic farm animal shall dispose of the carcass in a manner compliant with the Animal Health and Protection Act; or other applicable provincial statute(s) regulating the same. 9.2 Authority of Animal Control Officer - Deceased Animals 9.2.1 An Animal Control Officer may dispose of any deceased animal found within the Municipal Boundary. 9.2.2 An Animal Control Officer may take reasonable steps to find the owner of a deceased animal. 10.0 INTERPRETATION 10.1 For the purpose of these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: ACT means the Municipalities Act, 1999. AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR means snarling, growling or pursuing another animal or a person. ANIMAL means: (a) furbearing animal; (b) household pet; 13 | 1 7 (c) poultry; and (d) wild animal and includes companion animal and domestic animal. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Means an employee of the Town appointed to the job position or title of Municipal Enforcement Officer or acting in another capacity on behalf of the Town for the purpose of the enforcement of one or more of the Town regulations; or, an officer of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. ANIMAL SHELTER means any facility designated by Council for impounding an animal. ASSISTANCE DOG means a dog specifically trained to assist a person with physical or sensory disabilities in the performance of daily activities. AVIARY Means a building, cage or structure for the breeding or keeping of birds, including poultry. CHOKE COLLAR Means a slip collar or chain that may constrict around the neck of an animal as a result of pulling on one end of the collar or chain. COMPANION ANIMAL means an animal kept as a pet or as a guide animal. COUNCIL means the current Council of the Town. DANGEROUS DOG means: (a) any dog that has killed or injured: (i) a person, or (ii) a companion animal or domestic animal while running at large; or (b) any dog that an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person; (c) any dog that aggressively harasses or pursues a person or companion animal or domestic farm animal while running at large; or (d) any dog owned primarily or in part, for the purpose of dog fighting or that is trained for dog fighting; (e) any dog that according to the records of the SPCA, RNC or other municipality, or to the knowledge of the owner, has killed, injured, or aggressively harassed or pursued a person or animal. DESIGNATED OFF-LEASH AREA means an area posted by sign, which defines the geographic area and/or time period that dogs can be off-leash. 14 | 1 7 DOG means any member of the canine species which is six (6) or more months of age. DOMESTIC ANIMAL means an animal that is tame or kept, or that has been or is being sufficiently tamed or kept, to serve some purpose for the use of people. DOMESTIC FARM ANIMAL means a horse, mule, donkey, emu, hinny, llama, ostrich, pot belly pig, swine, sheep, goat or cow, or other animal of the bovine species, but excludes a household pet. DOUBLE DWELLING means one building containing two dwelling units, placed one above the other, side by side, or joined by a carport with separate lot areas dedicated to each unit, but does not include a single dwelling containing a subsidiary or basement apartment. FURBEARING ANIMAL means any fox, beaver, marten, mink, muskrat, otter, racoon, skunk, chinchilla, fisher, or other like animal, other than a household pet. HOUSEHOLD PET means a domesticated animal normally kept in: (a) in a single dwelling, a double dwelling, row dwelling or multiple-family dwelling; and, (b) for pleasure rather than utility. IMPOUND/IMPOUNDED means seized, delivered, received or taken into an animal shelter, or into the custody of the Animal Control Officer. IMPOUND/IMPOUNDMENT FEES means the fees as set from time to time by in Schedule A of the Town of Labrador City Municipal Fees, which are charged for an animal or bird that has been impounded. KITTEN means a member of the feline species which is less than six (6) months of age. LEASH means a device, or use of a device, of leather, metal, nylon or other similar strong material no more than three (3) meters in length and of sufficient strength and design to restrain the size and strength of dog or dangerous dog for which it will be (or is being) used. One end is securely affixed to a collar or harness which is securely attached to the dog or dangerous dog with the other end held by a person capable of controlling the dog or dangerous dog at all times. 15 | 1 7 LICENSE (DOG) means a tag issued by the Town for the life of the dog or dangerous dog, on which is stamped the licence number for the dog or dangerous dog. MAINTENANCE FEES means the fees as set from time to time in Schedule A of the Town of Labrador City Municipal Fees, which are charged for each day that an animal or bird is impounded, commencing the day of impoundment. MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING means a building containing four (4) or more separate dwelling units each having an independent entrance either directly from outside the building or through a common vestibule, but does not include a single dwelling, a row dwelling, or a residential dwelling with a subsidiary apartment. MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY means the area in which the Council can exercise its powers given to it under the Act. MUZZLE means a humane fastening or covering device of adequate strength placed over the mouth of an animal to prevent it from biting. NUISANCE means any obnoxious substance, animal waste or unsanitary matter or noise caused by any animal that has an unpleasant effect on the senses; includes actions by an animal that causes damage to any lawn, garden or flower bed and flower, shrub, plant or property. OWN/OWNED includes possessor, harbourer, or keeper, and "owned" includes possessed harboured, or kept. OWNER means a natural person or body corporate who has legal title to an animal, and includes any person who has custody of an animal, either temporarily or permanently, or harbours an animal, or allows an animal to remain on his or her premises. PARCEL means a plot of land, lot, block, or other area in which land is held or into which land is legally subdivided. POULTRY means a chicken, rooster, turkey, goose, duck, fowl, or other bird normally kept for human consumption. PUPPY means a member of the canine species which is less than six (6) months of age. RABBIT any of various long-eared, short-tailed, burrowing mammals of the family Leporidae. 16 | 1 7 ROW DWELLING means three or more dwelling units at ground level in one building, each unit separated vertically from the others. RUN/RUNNING AT LARGE means any one of the following: (a) for a cat or dog, being elsewhere than confined on the premises of the owner, while not on a leash and not in the immediate and effective control of an owner; (b) for a cat or dog, being on any property without the consent of the owner or occupier of that property; (c) for a dog, being in a designated dog off-leash area, where permitted, but not under the immediate and effective control of an owner; or (d) for a dangerous dog, means any dangerous dog which is not confined or controlled in compliance with the requirements of subsection 2.3.4.2. SINGLE DWELLING means one (1) building containing a single dwelling unit for the use of one household, placed on its own lot, and can include a subsidiary apartment. TOWN means the Town of Labrador City as defined by Order-in- Council dated the 27th day of June, 1961, and any amendments thereto, according the Act. 11.0 OFFENCE AND PENALTY 11.1 Non-compliance or contravention of any of the provisions identified in these regulations shall result in liability for the penalties and fees as set from time to time in Schedule A of the Town of Labrador City Municipal Fees; and 11.2 Pursuant to the Town of Labrador City Violation Notice Regulations: 11.2.1 The Town may issue a violation notice with respect to failure to comply with a provision of these regulations; and, 11.2.2 Where a violation notice has been issued by the Town, a person shall be liable for penalties pursuant to the Town of Labrador City Violation Notice Regulations. 11.3 Pursuant to s.419(1) of the Act: 11.3.1 a person whom contravenes these regulations commits an offence; and, 11.3.2 Pursuant to s.419(2) of the Act, each day upon which the same offence is committed or continued is a separate offence. 17 | 1 7 11.4 Each person who commits an offence under these regulations or who acts in contravention of or fails to comply with any provision thereof, or neglects or refuses to do so shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine pursuant to s.420(1) of the Act. 11.5 The conviction of a person for failing to comply with a requirement or obligation referred to in s11.4 shall not operate as a bar to further prosecution under these regulations for the continued failure on the part of the person in comply. 12.0 REPEAL 12.1 All previous Animal Control Regulations or Amendments thereto for the Town of Labrador City are hereby rescinded. 13.0 SEVERABILITY & CITATION 13.1 If any part, section, subsection, clause, or sub-clause of this regulation is, for any reason, held to be invalid by the decision of a Court of competent jurisdiction, such decision does not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this regulation. 13.2 This regulation is cited as "Animal Control Regulations, 2019".