Animal Control and Services

The Municipality of Huron East ensures a safe and healthy environment for both animals and residents in our community by enforcing Animal Control By-law 077-2022.

Huron East employs an Animal Control Officer to ensure all regulations outlined in the by-law are followed.

Dog Licensing

We have switched to a perpetual Dog Tag system.
With this new system the Dog Tag assigned to your dog will remain with the dog for the course of its life.

Invoices will be issued annually in January - Payments due by February 28th
Payment Options:
Payments can be made in person via cash, cheque, or debit
E-transfer - payments@huroneast.com (Ensure to note your dog tag number and address in the message section)
Drop box out front of Town Hall (Ensure to include the bottom portion of your invoice with payment)

If you are new to Huron East, or have a new dog in your household apply, for a Dog Tag using our online Dog License Form.

If you no longer have a dog, please call the office and advise of the change.

Owners must make rabies shot information available to the Municipality upon request.

Dog License Fees

Description of Dog	Altered	Unaltered
Male or female dog, if only one kept	$20.00	$30.00
Second dog owned by the same person or kept in any one household	$30.00	$40.00
Third dog owned by the same person or kept in any one household	$40.00	$50.00
Kennel License	$150.00
Late Fee (per tag after Feb. 28^th)	$15.00	$15.00
Replacement Tag	$10.00	$10.00

Kennel Licensing

Requirements for operating a Kennel within Huron East can be found in Sect. 7, By-law 077-2022.

To obtain a Kennel License, please submit an application to the Municipal Clerk. Once approved by the Clerk, the By-law Enforcement Officer will be in contact with you to arrange a date/time for an initial Kennel inspection. After inspection you can arrange to visit town hall to pay the $150.00 fee and obtain a permit.

Kennel Licenses need to be renewed annually following inspection by the Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer.

Frequently Requested Information

By-Laws & Fines

By-law 77-2022 regulates animal care and control within Huron East. Listed below are some common inquiries made by Huron East residents.

Number of Dogs

No more than two (2) dogs may be harboured, at any time, in a dwelling unit located within urban areas of the municipality. No more than three (3) dogs may be harboured, at any time, in a dwelling within rural areas of the Municipality.

See Sect. 4, By-law 077-2022.

Dogs Running at Large

All dogs must be leashed or under control when not on the owner's property. If a dog strays, it may be impounded at the owner's expense for 'running at large'.

See Sect. 11, By-law 077-2022.

Causing a Disturbance

No person shall permit a dog or dogs to persistently howl, bark or whine for periods in excess of 15 minutes.

See Sect. 12, By-law 077-2022.

Removal of Dog Excrement

Dog excrement must be removed forthwith from all public and private lands within the boundaries of the Municipality.

See Sect. 13, By-law 077-2022.

Penalties

Any person who contravenes any section of By-law 077-2022 is guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to a fine in accordance with the provisions of the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, C. P.33, as amended.

See By-law 077-2022, Schedule "B".

Lost & Found Pets

If you see a dog running at large please contact the Clerk at Town Hall to request our Dog Catcher services, or if you have lost your dog, please contact the Seaforth Animal Hospital.

Complaints

To report a violation of By-law 077-2022, please Report It to the Municipal Office.

The By-law Enforcement Officer may wish to contact you to confirm information or ask further questions regarding the issue.

Please note that complaint information is considered confidential and will not be released to the person whose property is under complaint.

Animal Welfare

Abuse and neglect of any animal is not tolerated in Ontario. If you think an animal is in distress or is being abused, visit

https://www.ontario.ca/page/animal-welfare or call 1-833-9-ANIMAL.

Animal Welfare Services (AWS) within the Ministry of the Solicitor General is responsible for enforcing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.

Livestock Claims

If your livestock, poultry or honey bees have been damaged by wildlife, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affair's website or call 1-877-424-1300 for more information on the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

Wildlife Control

Please contact a local pest control company for any wildlife concerns.