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THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RYERSON
BY-LAW # 25-25
Animal Control By-law
Being a by-law to provide for the licensing and regulation of dogs, to regulate leaving
animals unattended in vehicles and to prohibit the keeping of
exotic, wild and non-domestic animals in the Township of Ryerson
WHEREAS Section 10 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. C.25, as amended, authorizes a
single-tier municipality to pass by-laws respecting animals;
AND WHEREAS Sections 103 and 105 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O., C. 25 as amended,
permits municipalities to pass By-laws regulating or prohibiting animals being at large or
trespassing and the muzzling of dogs, within the municipality;
AND WHEREAS Section 129 (a) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. C.25, as amended, permits
municipalities to pass By-laws to prohibit noise likely to disturb inhabitants within the
municipality;
AND WHEREAS the Council of the Township of Ryerson deems it expedient to license and
regulate the control of dogs, within the Township, to regulate leaving animals unattended in
vehicles and to prohibit the keeping of exotic, wild, and non-domestic animals pursuant to its
authority to do so under the said Act and other applicable Acts,
NOW THEREFORE The Corporation of the Township of Ryerson hereby enacts as follows:
1.
DEFINITIONS
1.1
"Animal" shall mean any member of the animal kingdom, other than a human being;
1.2
"Animal Control Officer" shall mean any person so designated by Council to administer
and enforce this By-law;
1.3
"Animal Shelter" shall mean an establishment that provides a temporary home for dogs
and other animals;
1.4
"Council" shall mean the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Ryerson;
1.5
"Dog" shall mean a male or female dog, over the age of twelve (12) weeks;
1.6
"Exotic Animal" shall mean a rare or unusual animal which is generally thought of as a
wild species not typically kept as a pet;
1.7
"Handler" shall mean any person who possesses or harbours an animal and includes a
person who has possession or custody of the animal either temporarily or permanently;
1.8
"Kennel" shall mean any building or structure where domestic household pets are kept,
raised and boarded for commercial purposes;
1.9
"Leash" shall mean a restraint consisting of a rope, light chain, or other material held by
an individual and used to restrain an animal;
1.10
"Motor Vehicle" shall mean a motor vehicle as defined in the Highway Traffic Act
R.S.O. 1990, c.H8, as amended;
1.11
"Muzzle" shall mean a humane fastening or covering device of adequate strength placed
over the mouth of an animal to prevent it from biting an individual or animal, and the
words "muzzled and "muzzling" have a corresponding meaning;
1.12
"Owner" shall mean any person who possesses or harbours an animal, and where the
Owner is a minor individual, it includes the individual responsible for the custody of the
minor, and includes a person who has possession or custody of the animal either
temporarily or permanently. The word "owns" has a corresponding meaning;
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1.13
"Public Property" shall mean any property in the Township of Ryerson, or owned by the
Township of Ryerson;
1.14
"Police" shall mean the Police Service providing police services to the Township;
1.15
"Prohibited Animals" shall mean the animals as identified in Schedule B of this By-
law;
1.16
"Running at Large" shall mean a dog found off the property on which it is kept and not
under control of any responsible person, and restrained by a leash;
1.17
"Service Animal" shall mean an animal which is trained to assist in the movements of a
person with a physical, visual or neurological impairment and shall include a Police Dog
in which a dog is trained for law enforcement for the police or other person duly
appointed as a peace officer;
1.18
"Township" shall mean the Township of Ryerson;
1.19
"Veterinarian" shall mean a veterinarian and shall include care takers and inmates of a
recognized Animal Care Centre where a veterinarian normally carries on business;
1.20
"Veterinary Hospital" shall mean a building or place used for diagnosing or surgically
or medically treating animals, whether or not animals are kept on the premises for the
purpose of treatment and includes a veterinary clinic;
1.21
"Wild Animal" shall mean an untamed or undomesticated animal that, as a matter of
common knowledge, is naturally ferocious, unpredictable, dangerous, mischievous, or
not by custom devoted to the service of mankind at the time and in the place in which it is
kept but does not include an Exotic Animal;
1.22
"Zoo or Wildlife Sanctuary" shall mean a person or persons who has/have registered
with the Provincial Government and is in possession of all necessary documentation and
complies with all regulations, provincial laws and municipal bylaws, to confine or keep
captive any animal for the purposes of display or protection;
2.
DOG LICENSING
2.1
No person shall within the Township of Ryerson own or keep any dog(s) without having
obtained a license, or kennel license for more than four (4) dogs and registering the dog
with the Township.
2.2
Every owner of a dog upon becoming a resident of the Township of Ryerson, or upon
becoming the owner of a dog, shall obtain a license and register each dog with the
Township.
2.3
The license shall be taken out annually on or before the 31st day of March of each year
and shall expire on the 31st day of December of each year.
2.4
The cost of the license shall be as prescribed in the current Township of Ryerson Fees
By-Law. An owner of a registered Service Animal is exempt from this licence fee.
2.5
An owner at the time of purchasing a dog license or kennel license shall furnish the
following information to the Issuer of Licenses:
a) The name, address, and phone number of the owner of the dog;
b) The breed, gender, name, age, and description of the dog(s);
c) No kennel or any part thereof shall be located closer than 30 metres (98.5 feet) to
any roadway or closer than 150 metres (492.5 feet) to any residential use on
another lot or any boundary of a residential zone.
2.6
Upon payment of the license fee, the owner of a dog shall be furnished with a numbered
dog tag and the said tag shall be kept securely fixed on the dog at all times. The owner
shall not use the dog tag upon a dog other than the one for which it was issued.
2.7
The replacement fee for a lost license shall be as prescribed in the current Township of
Ryerson Fees By-Law.
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2.8
A record shall be kept by the Clerk or designate showing:
a) The name, address, and phone number of the dog owner;
b) The breed, name, age, gender, and description of the dog.
c) The number of the Dog Tag and the fees paid in respect of each dog.
3.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OWNER
3.1
No owner of a dog shall permit the dog to run at large in the Township of Ryerson.
3.2
No owner or owners living at the same address shall keep more than four (4) dogs in any
one household over the age of twelve (12) weeks.
3.3
No owner shall permit their dog, whether leashed or unleashed, to trespass on private
property.
3.4
No owner shall allow their dog to be on a public road or in a public place at any time
unless the dog is on a leash and such leash is held onto by the owner/handler.
3.5
Notwithstanding 3.4, no dog shall be allowed at any time in any area designated as:
a) A public park, which includes a children's play area, a public beach, or
swimming area; This section does not apply to the owners of Registered Service
Animals.
3.6
Every owner of a dog shall forthwith, clean up and dispose of any excrement left by their
dog on any property other than their own. This section does not apply to the owners of
Registered Service Animals.
3.7
No owner shall permit any dog or domestic pet owned by them to persistently bark,
whine, whimper, or create any noise that is likely to disturb any inhabitants of the
Township of Ryerson.
4.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
4.1
The Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large, with
or without a license, within the Township of Ryerson contrary to the provisions of the
By-law. The dog will be impounded and placed in the Animal Shelter designated by the
Clerk or designate.
4.2
An Animal Control Officer shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner that
the dog is impounded and the conditions whereby custody of the dog may be regained.
4.3
Nothing in this section shall prevent the Animal Control Officer from destroying an
animal which is ill or injured and where, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, is
incapable of being cured.
4.4
If the Animal Control Officer or their agent is unable to seize any dog found to be running
at large or trespassing, and the owner is known to the Animal Control Officer or their agent,
the owner shall receive written notice of the fine described in the current Township of
Ryerson Animal Control By- Law Schedule A.
4.5
Where a dog has been injured on property other than that where it is kept and should be
destroyed for humane reasons or safety to persons or animals, the Animal Control Officer
or their agent may kill the dog in a humane manner as soon after seizure as they think fit
without permitting any person to reclaim the dog, or without offering it for sale, and no
damages or compensation shall be recovered by the owner on account of its disposal.
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5.
MUZZLING OF DOGS
5.1
The Animal Control Officer upon receiving a valid complaint or complaints concerning
a dog or dogs that place the public safety at risk may issue an order to the owner to:
a) Keep the dog or dogs leashed and under control of a responsible person at all
times such dog is outside of the owner's residence or; Secured in a crate or dog
run at all times such dog is outside of the owner's residence or;
b) Keep the dog or dogs muzzled at all times such dog is outside of the owner's
residence.
c) Every person who contravenes an order under this provision is guilty of an
offence.
6.
ANIMALS IN A VEHICLE
6.1
For the purpose of this section, "Roadway" means any street, highway or other place,
whether publicly or privately owned, any part of which the public is ordinarily entitled
or permitted to use for the passage or parking of vehicles.
6.2
No person shall keep or leave an animal unattended in a Motor Vehicle, part of a Motor
Vehicle or trailer attached to a Motor vehicle where doing so causes, or may cause the
animal illness, pain, injury or suffering or to become subject to undue or necessary
hardship, privation or neglect.
6.3
Any officer may use any reasonable means as are necessary to remove an animal
in need of assistance from any Motor Vehicle, trailer or any enclosed space.
6.4
The Owner of a Motor Vehicle involved in an offence referred to in this subsection is
guilty of the offence, unless that vehicle owner satisfies the court that the vehicle was not
being driven or parked by the Owner and that the individual driving or parking the vehicle
at the time of the offence did so without the vehicle owner's express or implied consent.
7.
KEEPING OF EXOTIC, WILD AND NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS
7.1
No person shall own, possess, harbour or in any other manner keep any animal listed in
Schedule "B" of this By-Law or any Endangered Species, except where provided for
under the provisions of this By-Law or any Federal or Provincial legislation.
7.2
No person shall sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any animal listed in Schedule "B"
of this By- Law or any Endangered Species, except where provided for under the
provisions of this By-Law or any Federal or Provincial legislation.
7.3
No person shall import or export any animal listed in Schedule "B" of this By-Law or
any Endangered Species, except where provided for under the provisions of this By-Law
or any Federal or Provincial legislation.
7.4
It shall be permissible to keep any animal of the kind listed in Schedule "B" of this By-
law under the following circumstances:
a) In a Veterinary Hospital under the care of a Licenced Veterinarian during the period
of time required to care for the animal and then it shall be removed from the
Township of Ryerson;
b) The animal is part of a circus, exhibition or educational display and such animals
shall be exempt from this By-Law only for the period of time that the circus,
exhibition, or educational display is taking place.
8.
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
8.1
This By-Law shall be enforced by a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, an
Animal Control Officer or a Provincial Offences Officer.
9.
RIGHT OF ENTRY
9.1
The Municipal Law Enforcement Officer may enter upon property at any reasonable
time for the purpose of determining whether any prohibited animals are kept on the
premises.
9.2
The Municipal Law Enforcement Officer may not enter a dwelling-place except with
Page 5 of 7
the consent of the occupant or person in charge of the dwelling-place or under the
authority of a warrant.
10. PENALTIES
10.1
Every person who contravenes any provision of this By-law is guilty of an offence and,
upon conviction, is liable to a fine as provided for under the Provincial Offences Act,
R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 33, as amended. Where any part of this By-Law conflicts with any
other Municipal By-Law, or any Federal or Provincial Legislation or article the
Legislation that carries the stricter provision shall prevail.
11. SEVERABILITY
11.1
If a court of competent jurisdiction should declare any section or part of any section of
this By-law to be invalid, such section or part of a section shall not be construed as having
persuaded or influenced council to pass the remainder of the By-law and it is hereby
declared, the remainder of the By-law shall be valid and shall remain in force.
12. SHORT TITLE
12.1
This By-law may be cited as "The Animal Control By-law"
13. REPEAL
31.1
By-laws # 16-24 is hereby repealed.
14. FORCE AND EFFECT
14.1
This By-law shall come into force and take effect as of the date of passing.
15. SCHEDULE A
15.1
Part 1 Offences short form wording and set fines for such offences.
15.2
Once the by-law has been approved, the short form wording and set fines will be applied
for with the Provincial Offences Courts to have them approved.
15.3
These offences can be issued as Part 1 ticketing on the persons committing the offences
on the day of the offence, or within 30 days of the offence.
Read a first,
second and Third
time, and finally
passed 9th day of
September, 2025.
Original Signed by George Sterling
MAYOR
Original Signed by Nancy Field
CLERK
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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RYERSON
SCHEDULE "A" TO BY-LAW # 25-25
Part I Provincial Offences Act
Item
Short Form Wording
Provision
Creating or
Defining Offence
Set Fine
1
Fail to obtain dog licence or kennel
license
Section 2.1
$300.00
2
Permit dog to be at large
Section 3.1
$300.00
3
Own more than four (4) dogs
Section 3.2
$300.00
4
Permit dog to trespass on private
property
Section 3.3
$300.00
5
Permit dog to be in a public place
without a leash
Section 3.4
$300.00
6
Permit dog to be in a public park or
swimming area
Section 3.5
$300.00
7
Fail to clean-up and dispose of
excrement
Section 3.6
$300.00
8
Permit dog to bark or make excessive
noise
Section 3.7
$300.00
9
Fail to comply with muzzle order
Sections 5.1
$300.00
10
Permit animal to be kept, left
unattended in Motor Vehicle
Section 6.2
$300.00
11
Possession of an exotic, wild or non-
domesticated animal
Section 7.1
$300.00
Note: The penalty provision for the offence listed above is Section 10.1 of
By-law # 25-25, a certified copy of which has been filed.
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THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF
RYERSON SCHEDULE "B" TO BY-LAW # 25-25
Class of Animal
Common Names
All Venomous Arachnids
Tarantula
All Venomous Arthropods
Scorpion
All Crocodylidae
Alligator, Crocodile
All Ursidae
Bear
All Venomous Reptillia
Venomous Snake, Lizard
Serpentes of the families Pythonidae & Boidae
Python, Boa & Anaconda
All Fields (other than common cat)
Leopard, Lion, Tiger, Lynx,
Puma, Cheetah, Jaguar, Panther,
Bobcat, Ocelot or Hybrids
All animals on the list of Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species (CITES
#1 Endangered Species List)
All Canidae (other than common dog)
Wolf, Fox, Jackals
Note: The common names referred to in the right-hand column are some of the names of
animals included in the classes of animals referred to in the left-hand column of this schedule.
The common names are provided for information purposes only and are not intended to limit
the extent of the classes of animals referred to above.