This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 027d9f1c7dc8 · verified 2026-08-23 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
BY-LAW FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP
BY-LAW NO. 6811/07
Passed by Council on October 15, 2007
Amendments:
By-law
date passed
section amended
By-law 7478/16
March 31, 2016
Schedule A
By-law 7251/12
November 19, 2012
Schedule A
By-law 7063/10
June 21, 2010
Section 31.1, 40, 43, 44
By-law 6951/09
May 19, 2009
Schedule A
By-law 6982/09
September 21, 2009
Section 1
By-law 6982/09
September 21, 2009
Section 49
_______________________________________________________________
WHEREAS Sections 9 and 11 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorize the City to pass
a by-law to (a) regulate animals; (b) provide for a system of licences, permits,
approvals or registrations respecting animals; and (c) impose conditions as a
requirement of obtaining, continuing to hold or renewing a licence, permit, approval
or registration;
WHEREAS Section 103 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the City to pass a by-
law to provide for the seizure and impounding of animals being at large or trespassing
and the sale of impounded animals under certain conditions;
WHEREAS Section 105 of the Municipal Act, 2001 requires Council or a Committee
of Council or an animal control officer of the City to hold a hearing to determine
whether to exempt an owner in whole or in part from muzzling requirements of a dog,
when so requested by the dog owner;
WHEREAS Section 391 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the municipality to
pass by-laws imposing fees or charges on any class of persons for services or
activities provided or done by or on behalf of it; and
WHEREAS the City of considers it necessary and expedient to pass a by-law to
regulate the keeping of pets in the City.
By-law No. 6811/07
2
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF
PICKERING HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
Interpretation
1.
In this by-law and in the recitals above,
"animal" means a dog or a cat;
"Animal Services Committee" means the Animal Services Committee
appointed by City Council;
"Animal Services Supervisor" means the Animal Services Supervisor
employed by the City or his or her designate;
"Animal Services Officer" means any employee of the City whose duties
include the enforcement of this by-law and related animal legislation in the
City and includes the Animal Services Supervisor;
"at large" means when an animal is found in any place other than the
premises of the owner and not under the control of any person;
"cat" means a feline of the species felis catus;
"City" means the Corporation of the City of Pickering or the geographic area
of the City of Pickering as the context requires;
"dog" means a canine of the species canis familiaris;
"lead" means a nylon or leather strap designed to restrain the breed of
animal it is controlling;
"leash free area" means an area designated by the City where dogs are
not required to be on a leash but must be under verbal control of an owner;
"microchip" means an electronic microchip encoded with identification
information that has been implanted in an animal;
"muzzle" means a humane fastening or covering device of adequate
strength and design, which is suitable to the breed of dog that fits over the
mouth of the dog to prevent the dog from biting or attacking a person or
domestic animal but does not include a halti, gentle leader or promise collar;
"Order" means an Order to Restrain issued by the City;
By-law No. 6811/07
3
"owner" means the owner of an animal and includes a person possessing
or harbouring an animal within the City and, where the owner is a minor, the
person responsible for the custody of the minor;
"sterilized" means spayed, neutered, castrated or otherwise operated on by
a veterinarian to prevent conception;
"tag" means a disc or other shape of metal or plastic furnished by the City
that bears an identification number and is suitable to be securely fixed on
an animal for the purpose of identification; and
"veterinarian" means a person registered under the Veterinarians Act.
2.
Schedule "A" (Licence Fees, Impoundment Fees and Service Fees) is
attached to and forms part of this by-law.
3.
Unless otherwise specified, references in this by-law to sections,
subsections, clauses and Schedules are references to sections,
subsections, clauses and Schedules in this by-law.
4.
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any section, or any part of any
section, of this by-law to be invalid, or to be of no force or effect, it is the
intention of the City that every other provision of this by-law be applied and
enforced in accordance with its terms to the extent possible according to
law.
5.
References in this by-law to any statute or statutory provision include
references to that statute or statutory provision as it may from time to time
be amended, extended or re-enacted.
6.
This by-law shall be read with all changes in gender or number as the
context may require.
Registration
7.
Every owner of an animal that is over the age of 12 weeks shall register the
animal with the City and shall maintain the registration in good status.
8.
Every person who becomes an owner at any time during the calendar year
shall register the animal with the City within 15 days of becoming an owner
and shall maintain the registration in good status.
9.
Every owner at the time of registering the animal shall pay a licence fee to
the City in the amount prescribed in Schedule "A".
10.
Every animal licence issued shall expire the following year on the
anniversary date of its initial issuance.
By-law No. 6811/07
4
11.
No owner shall provide false information when registering an animal.
12.
Upon payment of the licence fee, the owner shall be provided with a tag and
such tag shall be securely fixed on the animal to which it was issued at all
times.
13.
(1)
The City shall keep a record showing the name and address of the
owner and the identification number of the tag.
(2)
Any changes to the animal's living location, identification, including
sterilization status, shall be provided in writing to the City.
14.
(1)
Every owner shall notify the City in writing if the animal, is sold,
gifted or transferred to another person within 14 days of the change
of ownership.
(2)
Every owner shall remain liable for the actions of the animal until
formal written notification of sale, gift or transfer to another person is
provided to the City.
Minimum Animal Care Requirements
15.
Every owner shall provide or cause the animal to be provided with adequate
food, water and veterinary care as required to maintain the health and well-
being of the animal.
16.
Where an animal is customarily kept outside, the owner shall at all times
provide a structurally sound area that,
(a)
offers shelter and appropriate protection from heat, cold and wet
conditions having regard for the animal's weight and type of coat; and
(b)
provides sufficient space to allow the animal the ability to turn about
freely and to easily sit, stand and lie in a fully extended position.
17.
No owner shall keep any animal in the City tethered on a chain, rope or
similar restraining device that unduly restricts the free movement of the
animal.
Animals Running at Large
18.
No owner shall allow an animal to run at large within the limits of the City.
19.
Every owner of a dog shall keep it on a lead and under the control of a
person when the dog is off the premises of the owner, unless the person
owning the land on which the dog is found has given prior consent.
By-law No. 6811/07
5
20.
Any person shall be entitled to take charge of an animal found running at
large but shall forthwith deliver the animal to an Animal Services Officer.
21.
Nothing in section 20 confers upon any person the right to enter any
premises.
Seizure and Impoundment
22.
An Animal Services Officer may seize and impound any animal,
(a)
delivered to him or her under section 20;
(b)
found running at large; or
(c)
at the request of Fire Services.
23.
The City shall restore possession of an animal to its owner only where,
(a)
the owner claims possession of the animal;
(b)
the owner pays the impoundment fee set out in Schedule "A";
(c)
the animal has been registered with the City; and
(d)
the owner pays the cost of any veterinary care received by the animal
while impounded that the City deemed necessary for the well-being
of the animal.
24.
Where, on the sixth day, exclusive of Sundays and statutory holidays, after
the date of impounding, an animal has not been returned to its owner, the
Animal Services Supervisor may at his or her discretion and subject to the
Animals For Research Act either (a) sell or make a gift of the animal; or (b)
euthanize the animal in a humane manner, and no damage or
compensation shall be recovered or recoverable on account of the animal's
disposition or destruction.
25.
Where an animal that has been seized and impounded is injured or should
be euthanized without delay for humane reasons, or for reasons of safety
to persons or animals, the Animal Services Supervisor may euthanize the
animal in a humane manner as soon after seizure as he or she sees fit
without permitting any person to claim possession of the animal and without
offering it for sale and no damages or compensation shall be recovered or
recoverable on account of the animal's destruction.
26.
Where the Animal Services Supervisor deems it necessary to euthanize an
animal pursuant to section 25, he or she shall first attempt to contact the
owner of the animal and to permit the owner to transfer the animal, at the
owner's expense, to the office of a veterinarian.
By-law No. 6811/07
6
27.
Any animals destroyed under this by-law shall be disposed of in such a
manner the City may determine.
28.
The City shall keep a record of all animals seized and impounded pursuant
to this by-law.
Orders to Restrain
29.
The City shall investigate any dog bites and/or complaints relating to
threatening or aggressive dogs that have been reported to the City.
30.
Where an Animal Services Officer has investigated and has reason to
believe that a dog has placed a person or domestic animal at risk of physical
harm, the Animal Services Officer may issue an Order to the owner of the
dog.
31.
Where an Animal Services Officer has investigated and has reason to
believe that a dog has bitten, attacked or otherwise acted aggressively
towards a person or domestic animal, the Animal Services Officer may issue
an Order to the owner of the dog.
31.1 Where an Animal Services Officer has investigated and has reason to
believe that the owner of a dog has, on more than one occasion, allowed
his or her dog to run at large, the Animal Services Officer may issue an
Order to the owner of the dog.
32.
No owner shall allow an animal to bite.
33.
(1)
No Order shall be effective until the owner of the dog has been
served with a copy of the Order.
(2)
Service shall be effected by delivering the Order personally to the
owner of the dog or by leaving it for the owner at the owner's last known
or usual place of abode with an inhabitant thereof who appears to be
at least 16 years of age or by registered mail to the owner's last known
address.
(3)
If service is by mail, service shall be deemed to have been effected five
(5) days after mailing.
34.
(1)
An owner who has been served with an Order may apply to the
Animal Services Committee for a hearing.
(2)
To receive a hearing, the dog owner or the dog owner's agent must
complete a written request for a hearing and have it delivered to the
City Clerk within 10 business days of the Order being served.
By-law No. 6811/07
7
35.
Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the City shall, as soon as is
practicable, notify the owner and any victim(s) of any attack of the date, time
and location of the hearing.
36.
In the interim between the date of the Order and the date of the hearing of
the appeal, the owner shall comply with the Order and the dog shall remain
muzzled and/or on a lead.
37.
Following a hearing, the Animal Services Committee shall determine
whether or not to exempt the owner in whole or in part from the Order.
38.
If an owner fails to appear at a hearing, the Order shall be deemed to be in
full force and effect as if no appeal had been filed.
39.
The decision of the Animal Services Committee shall be final and binding.
40.
Where an Order has been issued and no appeal has been filed, the owner
shall comply with all of the conditions set out in the Order, which conditions
may include,
(a)
that the owner at his or her expense, have the dog that is subject to
the Order,
(i)
licensed and photographed within twenty-one (21) days of being
served with the Order;
(ii)
microchipped within twenty-one (21) days of being served with
the Order;
(iii) sterilized within 4 months of being served with the Order; and/or
(iv) enrolled in an obedience training class within 6 months of being
served with the Order;
(b)
that the owner shall be prohibited from taking the dog to any
designated leash free area; and
(c)
that the owner shall comply with any conditions that may be imposed
by an Animal Services Officer for the more effective control of the dog.
41.
Clauses 40 (a)(ii) and (iii) shall not apply in situations where a veterinarian
states, in writing, that the dog cannot be microchipped or sterilized due to
health and/or medical risks to the dog.
42.
No person shall fail to comply with an Order.
By-law No. 6811/07
8
43.
When off the premises of the owner, the owner of a dog that is the subject
of an Order shall comply with all of the conditions set out in the Order, which
conditions may include,
(a)
muzzled and on a lead not longer than 2 metres in length and in a
manner that restricts it from chasing, injuring or biting other domestic
animals or humans as well as preventing damage to public and/or
private property; or
(b)
under the effective control of a person over sixteen years of age who
is physically capable of restraining the dog.
44.
When on the premises of the owner, the owner of a dog that is the subject
of an Order shall comply with all of the conditions set out in the Order, which
conditions may include,
(a)
indoors in a manner that respects its environmental needs and
prevents the dog from having contact with persons who have not
consented to contact; or
(b)
outdoors in a pen or other enclosure that respects its environmental
needs and prevents the dog from leaving the owner's property and
from coming into contact with persons and other animals.
Animal Surrender
45.
An Animal Services Officer may accept the transfer of ownership of an
animal from an owner to the City upon,
(a)
receipt of a written request from the owner accompanied by payment
of the appropriate fee prescribed in Schedule "A";
(b)
determination by the Animal Services Officer that the animal can
reasonably be expected to be placed in a new home;
(c)
receipt of any other information the Animal Services Officer requests;
and
(d)
space being available to shelter the animal.
General Requirements
46.
Every owner shall immediately remove excrement left by the animal on
property anywhere in the City and dispose of it in a hygienic manner.
47.
No owner shall allow the animal to make noises including, but not limited to,
persistent barking, calling, howling, whining or crying at frequent or lengthy
intervals, that are likely to disturb the inhabitants of the City.
By-law No. 6811/07
9
48.
(1)
In this section, "dwelling unit" means a room or suite of two or more
rooms designated or intended for residential use by a person or
persons in which culinary and sanitary conveniences are provided
for the exclusive use of such person or persons and having a private
entrance from outside or from a common hallway or stairway.
(2)
No person residing in a dwelling unit on lands zoned residential shall
keep or own more than three (3) dogs in or about the dwelling unit.
(3)
No person residing in a dwelling unit on lands zoned residential shall
keep or own more than four (4) cats in or about the dwelling unit.
Exceptions
49.
(1)
In this section, "guide dog" has the same meaning as in the Blind
Persons' Rights Act.
(2)
Section 46 shall not apply to guide dogs.
(3)
Section 18 and 19 shall not apply to leash free areas.
50.
This by-law shall not apply to active police dogs.
51.
Upon presentation of a certificate from the registering agency, the owner of
a medical aid dog shall be exempted from payment of a licence fee.
52.
Where the owner of an animal is a non-resident of Pickering, and his or her
animal will not be kept within Pickering for a time period longer than thirty
(30) consecutive days in any one (1) calendar year, the owner shall not be
required to comply with section 7.
53.
Section 18 shall not apply where on the premises of any television or film
studio such animals are being kept temporarily for the purpose of a
television production.
54.
A veterinarian shall not be considered an owner of an animal for the
purpose of this by-law where the animal has been brought upon his or her
premises for care or treatment.
Penalties
55.
Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this by-law is guilty of
an offence and upon conviction thereof is liable to a fine of not more than
$5,000.00, exclusive of costs, which shall be recoverable under the
provisions of the Provincial Offences Act and all the provisions of the said
Act shall apply to any prosecution for any offence under this by-law.
By-law No. 6811/07
10
Short Title
56.
This by-law may be cited as the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law.
Repeal
57.
By-law No. 6693/06 is repealed.
58.
Notwithstanding section 57, any Order issued under By-law 6693/06 or any
predecessor by-law shall remain in full force and effect.
Effective Date
59.
This by-law shall come into force and take effect on the day that the Chief
Judge of the Ontario Court (Provincial Division) approves set fines for
offences under this by-law.
BY-LAW read a first, second and third time and finally passed this 15th day of
October, 2007.
David Ryan, Mayor
Debi A. Wilcox, City Clerk
By-law No. 6811/07
11
SCHEDULE "A"
AS AMMENDED BY BY-LAW NO. 7478/16
Cat/Dog Licence Fees
Details
Fee
Unsterilized dog or cat
$50.00
Unsterilized dog or cat with microchip
$40.00
Sterilized dog or cat
$25.00
Sterilized dog or cat with microchip
$20.00
Replacement tag
$5.00
Impoundment Fees
Impoundment of dog or cat wearing a current animal licence tag or is
microchipped
1st occurrence
$40.00
2nd occurrence
$75.00
3rd or subsequent occurrence
$125.00
After regular working hours
$120.00
Daily Care Fee: Every animal that is impounded is
subject to an additional charge for every day or part
of a day after the day the animal is brought into
impoundment
$20/day
Impoundment of dog or cat not wearing a current animal licence tag or is
microchipped
1st occurrence
$50.00
2nd or subsequent occurrence
$75.00
3rd or subsequent occurrence
$125.00
After regular working hours
$120.00
Daily Care Fee: Every animal that is impounded is
subject to an additional charge for every day or part of
a day after the day the animal is brought into
impoundment
$20/day
In addition to the fees detailed above, every owner of a
dog or cat not licensed for the current year who is a
resident of the City is also required to pay the licence
fees in addition to the impoundment fees
See Cat/Dog
Licence Fees
above
By-law No. 6811/07
12
Service Fees
Owner Surrender Fees: Animal Services will only accept animals if space is
available at the shelter and if the animal can reasonably be expected to be
placed up for adoption. Animals will not be accepted for euthanasia. Pets are
screened carefully to avoid placing problem animals in new homes
Transfer of ownership of an animal- Resident Fee
$150.00
Transfer of ownership of an animal- Non-Resident Fee
$200.00
Pick up and disposal of deceased owned animals
Small - medium size
$50.00
Medium - extra large size
$80.00
Adoption Fees: Adoption fee includes up to date vaccinations and a free City
of Pickering animal licence. In situations where the animal is not sterilized
before adoption, a rebate will be offered upon proof of sterilization.
Dogs
$250.00
Cats
$120.00