This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot a2fca1902073 · verified 2026-06-10 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Page 1 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
Animals
Chapter 212 Dog - Cat Regulation
Chapter Index
Article 1 - Short Title
212.1.1
Citation
Article 2 - Interpretation
212.2.1
Animal Control Officer - defined
212.2.2
Collar or harness - defined
212.2.3
Dog/ cat identification - defined
212.2.4
Dog off leash recreation area - defined
212.2.5
Dwelling unit - defined
212.2.6
Foster - defined
212.2.7
Kennel - defined
212.2.8
Leash - defined
212.2.9
Owner - defined
212.2.10
Pound - defined
212.2.11
Poundkeeper - defined
212.2.12
Running at large - defined
212.2.13
Spayed/ neutered defined
Article 3 - Exemptions
212.3.1
Animal hospital - clinic
212.3.2
Humane Society - SPCA
Article 4 - General Provisions
212.4.1
Dog - Cat - maximum - five per location - exception
212.4.2
Dog-Cat-identification attached
212.4.3
Animal identification - removal - other than to replace -
prohibited
212.4.4
Use of dog off leash recreation areas
212.4.5
Dog off leash area - dog unattended
212.4.6
Dog off leash area - pit bull restriction
Page 2 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
Article 5 - Dog and/or Cat - At Large
212.5.1
Running at large - prohibited
212.5.2
Running at large - exception
212.5.3
Trespass
212.5.4
Dog - Cat - not under control - off owner's premises
212.5.5
Dog and/or cat unleashed - deemed not under control
212.5.6
Euthanasia - for humane reasons - safety
212.5.7
Impoundment - permitted
212.5.8
Impound - records
212.5.9
Impound - public safety
212.5.10
Trespassing - capture - impoundment - permitted
212.5.11
Impoundment - redemption - time limit - fee
212.5.12
Dog - Cat - not redeemed-destroyed-adopted-
Neutered/Spayed - sold
212.5.13
Other penalties - liabilities - applicable
212.5.14
Dog and/or cat - at large - prevention
Article 6 - Registration
212.6.1
Kennel registration - obtained annually
212.6.2
Kennel registration - eligibility
212.6.3
Banned breeds
Article 7- Enforcement
212.7.1
Fine - for contravention
212.7.2
Separate offence - daily
Article 8 - Enactment
212.8.1
Effective date
Schedule
Schedule 'A' - Dog off leash recreation areas
Page 3 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
WHEREAS section 11 of the Municipal Act, 2001, c. 25 provides that a
municipality may pass a by-law to regulate animals;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001, c. 25,
s. 103, states where a municipality has passed a by-law to regulate or
prohibit with respect to the being at large or trespassing of animals, the
municipality may provide for the seizure, impounding and sale of seized and
impounded animals;
AND WHEREAS section 391 of the Municipal Act, 2001, c. 25 as amended,
provides that a municipality may pass by-laws imposing fees or charges for
services;
AND WHEREAS The Corporation of the City of Woodstock deems it
appropriate to charge a fee to owners of animals for the provision of the
service of animal control;
AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the City of Woodstock
deems it appropriate to provide animal control for the health and safety of
the public.
Article 1- Short Title
212.1.1
Citation
This Chapter may be cited as the "Dog and/or Cat Regulation By-law." By-law
9478-21- August 12, 2021
Article 2 - Interpretation
212.2.1
Animal Control Officer - defined
"Animal Control Officer" means:
a) any company and its employees which has entered into a contract with
the municipality to control animals or to operate a pound
b) municipal by-law enforcement officer appointed by the City of Woodstock
c) a member of any police force having jurisdiction within the municipality.
212.2.2
Collar or harness - defined
"collar or harness" means a stiff band of leather, strong fabric or plastic or
metal placed around the neck or body of the dog that is to attach a dog tag
and/or leash.
Page 4 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
212.2.3
Dog/cat identification - defined
"dog/ cat identification" means a microchip or personalized dog/ cat tag that
provides information on how to contact the dog or cat owner. By-law 9478-
21- August 12, 2021
212.2.4
Dog off leash recreation area - defined
"dog off leash recreation area" means a specific confined area designated in
Schedule 'A' where a dog owner is permitted to allow his/her dog to run at
large and is not required to leash such dog.
212.2.5
Dwelling unit - defined
"dwelling unit" means a single room or a series of rooms which is located
in a building, in which food preparation, eating, living, sleeping and sanitary
facilities are provided for the exclusive use of the occupants thereof, which
has a private entrance directly from outside the building or from a common
hallway inside the building in which all occupants have access to all of the
habitable areas and facilities of the unit, and which is occupied and used, or
capable of being occupied and used as a single and independent
housekeeping establishment by one family.
212.2.6
Foster - defined
"foster" means the temporary keeping, harbouring or possessing, for a
period of less than six months, of a dog that is abandoned or does not have a
permanent owner and under the care and control of either a recognized
animal rescue group, the SPCA or the City of Woodstock Animal Control,
while there is an active attempt by the person keeping the dog, the rescue
group, SPCA or Animal control responsible for the foster dog to find a
permanent home for the dog.
212.2.7
Kennel - defined
"kennel" means a place or confine where dogs that are registered or eligible
for registration with an association incorporated under the Animal Pedigree
Act (Canada) are bred and raised or a facility used to board dogs on a short
term basis.
212.2.8
Leash - defined
"leash" means a line or cord attached to a collar not exceeding 1.8 metres
(5.9 feet) in length which is used to secure or restrain a dog or cat.
212.2.9
Owner - defined
"owner" includes any person who possesses, fosters, or harbours a dog or cat
and shall include a person or persons who are temporarily the keeper of a
dog or cat; and "owns" and "owned" have a corresponding meaning. Where a
person is a minor, the person responsible for the custody of the minor shall
be deemed the owner.
Page 5 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
212.2.10 Pound - defined
"pound" means a premises or facility designated by the City of Woodstock
that is used for the confinement, maintenance or disposal of animals that
have been impounded pursuant to this Chapter.
212.2.11 Poundkeeper - defined
"Poundkeeper" means a person or company appointed by the City of
Woodstock to maintain and administer a pound and impound dogs and/or
cats.
212.2.12 Running at large - defined
"running at large" means a dog or cat found in any place other than the
premises of the owner or person having care, custody or control of the dog or
cat and not secured by a collar and leash.
212.2.13 Spayed/neutered- defined
"spayed/neutered," also known as "altered" means any dog or cat which has
been altered by the removal of the ovaries in the case of a female dog or cat
or by the castration in the case of a male dog or cat and that the owner
produces satisfactory evidence of its being spayed/neutered.
Article 3 - Exemptions
212.3.1
Animal hospital - clinic
This Chapter shall not apply to an animal hospital or clinic lawfully operated
and supervised by a veterinarian who is a registered member of the Ontario
Veterinary Association.
212.3.2
Humane Society - SPCA
This Chapter shall not apply to a Humane Society or Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provided that such premises is located in
compliance with the City of Woodstock Zoning By-laws.
Article 4 - General Provisions
212.4.1
Dog - cat - maximum - five per location - exception
No person shall, whether temporarily or permanently, keep, harbour,
maintain or possess at any location within the City of Woodstock more than
three domestic dogs and two domestic cats or two domestic dogs and three
domestic cats of an age in excess of four months with the exception of a
kennel operated and registered in accordance with the provisions of this
Chapter. (See Set Fines) By-law 9478-21, Aug 12, 2021
Page 6 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
212.4.2
Dog - cat - animal identification attached
No person who is the owner of a dog or cat, or the foster of a dog or cat,
shall fail to immediately attach dog/cat identification, and maintain such an
attachment. (See Set Fines) By-law 9478-21, August 12, 2021
212.4.3
Animal identification - removal - other than to replace -
prohibited
No person shall remove dog/cat identification from a dog or cat, other than to
replace the identification or administer medical treatment to the dog or cat.
(See Set Fines) By-law 9478-21, August 12, 2021
212.4.4
Use of dog off leash recreation areas
No person shall allow his/her dog to run at large in dog off leash recreation
areas designated in Schedule 'A' without having dog identification and affixing
a current rabies tag to the dog. (See Set Fines) By-law 9478-21, August 12,
2021
212.4.5
Dog off leash area - dog unattended
No person shall leave a dog unattended within a dog off leash recreation
area. (See Set Fines)
212.4.6
Dog off leash area - pit bull restriction
No person shall allow a pit bull, as defined under the Dog Owners' Liability
Act, to run at large in a dog off leash recreation area. (See Set Fines)
Article 5 - Dog and/or Cat- At Large
212.5.1
Running at large - prohibited
No person shall allow or permit any dog or cat of which he/she is the owner
to run at large within the City of Woodstock. (See Set Fines)
212.5.2
Running at large - exception
The owner of a dog may allow their dog to be at large in dog off leash
recreation areas designated in Schedule 'A.'
212.5.3
Trespass
No person shall allow or permit any dog or cat of which he/she is the owner
to trespass on private property even when on a leash. (See Set Fines)
212.5.4
Dog - cat - not under control - off owner's premises
A dog or cat shall be deemed to be running at large if found in any place
other than the premises of the owner of the dog or cat and not under the
control of any person.
Page 7 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
212.5.5
Dog and/or cat - unleashed - deemed not under control
A dog or cat shall be deemed not to be under the control of any person when
the dog or cat is not on a leash.
212.5.6
Euthanasia - for humane reasons - safety
Where a dog or cat which is running at large is injured or should be destroyed
without delay for humane reasons or for reasons of safety to persons or
animals, an Animal Control Officer may euthanize the dog or cat in a humane
manner without permitting any person to reclaim the dog or cat.
212.5.7
Impoundment - permitted
Animal Control Officers are authorized to impound dogs and cats for purposes
of enforcing this Chapter.
212.5.8
Impound - records
The Animal Control Officer shall keep a record of every dog or cat impounded
or seized, including the date upon which it was impounded, a description of
the dog or cat, any dog/cat identification it had, and the disposition made. If
no dog/cat identification is found on an animal that is redeemed by an owner,
the owner's contact information will be forwarded to the City for follow up to
ensure future compliance with section 212.4.2. By-law 9478-21, August 12,
2021
212.5.9
Impound - public safety
The Animal Control Officer may take possession of any dog or cat regardless
of its identification that in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer is
interfering with public health and safety, that is in contravention of this
Chapter or is injured or in distress.
212.5.10 Trespassing - capture - impoundment - permitted
Any person may capture or confine any dog or cat running at large and
trespassing on his/her property and either request the Animal Control Officer
to pick up the dog or cat or deliver the dog or cat to the Animal Control
Officer who shall impound the dog or cat.
212.5.11 Impoundment - redemption - time limit - fee
All dogs and cats impounded under the authority of this Chapter shall be
taken to the pound, where they shall be confined, subject to the right of an
owner to redeem a dog and/or cat within three days, excluding the day of
impoundment and not including holidays. Upon redemption of the dog or cat,
the owner must pay the poundkeeper the pick-up fee, any applicable daily
poundage fees, a search fee (if no dog/cat identification is on the animal),
and veterinary fees. By-law 9478-21, August 12, 2021
Page 8 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
212.5.12 Dog - cat - not redeemed - destroyed - adopted - spayed
/neutered - sold
Any dog or cat not redeemed by an owner within three days, excluding the
day of impoundment and not including holidays, may be euthanized in a
humane manner by the poundkeeper or spayed/neutered and/or sold or
adopted, unless the law requires otherwise.
212.5.13 Other penalties - liabilities - applicable
The payment of the impoundment fees shall not be construed as relieving the
owner or any other person of any liability to pay any other penalty which may
become payable pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter or any other
liability enforceable in law.
212.5.14 Dog and/or cat - at large - prevention
An owner of a dog or cat, when the dog or cat is on the property of the owner
or on the property of some other person with that person's consent, shall
keep the dog or cat from leaving the property on its own by means of:
a) enclosure;
b) containment within a fenced area; or
c) physical restraint of the dog or cat by a chain or rope. (See Set Fines)
Article 6 - Registration
212.6.1
Kennel registration - obtained annually
No person shall operate a kennel within the City of Woodstock without having
obtained a kennel registration prior to conducting the business of operating a
kennel. A kennel must be registered on an annual basis on or before the 15th
day of February of the current year. (See Set Fines)
212.6.2
Kennel registration - eligibility
A kennel registration shall only be issued where the location of the kennel is
in compliance with the City of Woodstock Zoning By-laws. (See Set Fines)
212.6.3
Banned breeds
In addition to the requirements of section 212.4.2, the owner of a banned
breed shall provide proof to the City that he/she is in compliance with the
requirements of the provincial legislation. By-law 9478-21, August 12, 2021
Page 9 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
Article 7 - Enforcement
212.7.1
Fine - for contravention
Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Chapter is guilty
of an offence and upon conviction is liable to a fine or penalty as provided in
the Provincial Offences Act.
212.7.2
Separate offence - daily
Each day a violation of this Chapter continues shall constitute a separate and
distinct offence under this Chapter.
Article 8 - Enactment
212.8.1
Effective date
The by-law upon which this Chapter is founded shall come into force and
effect as of January 1, 2022. 9478-21 - August 12, 2021.
Page 10 of 10
Chapter 212
January 1, 2022
SCHEDULE
Schedule 'A' - Dog off leash recreation areas
The following areas of the City of Woodstock are hereby designated "dog off
leash recreation areas" where dogs may be at large to exercise without being
on leashes:
1. North West area of Southside Park in the vicinity of Henry Street &
Butler Street intersection;
2. North side of Woodstock in Roth Park.
These areas are clearly defined by enclosed fencing with vestibule entrances
to restrict the escape of dogs off leash while other dogs and owners are
entering and exiting the leash free area.