Animal Services
Animal control services are in place to ensure that residents with and without pets or livestock can enjoy our Township. The By-Law Enforcement Officer responds to animal control complaints, but it is important to note that we do not respond to calls about cats or wildlife.
Dog ownership in Huron-Kinloss
Huron-Kinloss is a pet friendly community; however, there are a few things you need to know before you add a four-legged friend to your family. If you have any questions or need to report a complaint about a dog, please contact the By-Law Enforcement Officer or visit our Report a Problem web portal.
Dog licensing |
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Dog licenses are valid for the calendar year must be renewed annually. Invoices are mailed to all dog owners in January. Dog tags are permanent, there is no need to purchase a new tag each year. Dog tags must be attached to your dog's collar at all times. The cost for a dog license is:
Township of Huron Kinloss Dog Licence(s) can be purchased at:
If you need to cancel a dog tag, please fill out the dog cancellation form. |
Dogs running at large |
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Dog licences are vital in helping with the safe and easy return of your pet. Dogs are required to be on a leash when on public property. Dogs found running at large, without a licence, will be impounded at the Township's designated Pound. Prior to picking up your dog, a fee must be paid at the municipal office as per the Consolidated Fees By-Law. You will also be required to pay for any boarding or veterinarian costs incurred during his/her stay. A dog licence will also be required prior to the release of the dog and a fine may also be issued. |
Poop & scoop |
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Dog droppings contaminate beaches and other public spaces and pose serious health hazards to children playing nearby and to other persons and animals. Let's work together to keep our public spaces clean by following these simple guidelines:
To report a complaint, you can contact the By-Law Enforcement Officer or visit the Report a Problem page. |
Dog attacks |
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All Dogs will be under the direct control of their owner at all times and on leash when on public property. If a dog is involved in a dog bite incident, it will be muzzled and/or leashed when outdoors. Reporting a dog biteAll dog attacks or bites should be immediately reported to the By-Law Enforcement Officer at 519-395-3844. |
Dangerous Dogs |
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The Province of Ontario does not allow residents to own, breed, abandon, transfer or import pit bulls. Training pit bulls to fight is also strictly prohibited. A pit bull can be defined as:
If a report is made about a dog that looks like a pit bull, the owner must provide proof that it is not a pit bull. Reports can be made to the By-Law Enforcement Officer. |
Off Leash Dog Park |
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An off-leash dog park is available for public use at the Point Clark Community Centre. The dog park is self-policed but does have some rules to ensure the health and safety of the dogs and dog owners that use it. Rules are posted at the entrance to the dog park. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations and a municipal dog tag. Puppies under 4 months old, dogs in heat, unneutered, sick or aggressive dogs are not permitted. Please pick-up after your dog. To report a problem please contact the Community Services Department. |
Wildlife in Huron-Kinloss
We share the Township with a number of wildlife species, many of them co-exist with us just fine. It is important to leave the wildlife alone whenever possible; however, there are sometimes when you might be concerned and want to make a report. The Government of Ontario Wildlife and Nature website is great for registered wildlife rehabilitator resources and for direction on who to contact for diseased and/or wildlife that is a public safety concern.
What can you do if you find a sick, injured or abandoned wild animal?
General tips |
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Young animals and babies |
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If you find an abandoned young animal, separated from adults or left on its own — keep cats and dogs away and limit noise. An adult may not return if it is noisy or if predators or people are close by. |
Get help for a wild animal |
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In Ontario, wildlife rehabilitators are authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to provide temporary care to sick, injured and abandoned wildlife so it can be returned to the wild. Rehabilitators commit significant time and resources, and many solicit donations to assist with their work. Every effort is made by wildlife rehabilitators to ensure wildlife in their care do not become tame. |
Find a wildlife rehabilitator |
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To get help for a sick, injured or abandoned animal, you can contact: |
Health risks |
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If you come across sick or diseased wildlife and you suspect there is a public health risk (such as rabies or West Nile virus) contact the Grey Bruce health unit immediately. |
Public Safety |
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If the animal is alive and there is a public safety issue, as directed by the Government of Ontario you are to contact the local police department. The local police department for the Township of Huron-Kinloss is the South Bruce OPP at 1-888-310-1122. |
Dead Fish Wash Up on the Beach |
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Researchers believe the round goby is linked to outbreaks of botulism type E in Great Lakes fish and fish-eating birds. The disease is caused by a toxin that may be passed from zebra mussels, to goby, to birds, resulting in large die-offs of fish and birds. For more information about fish die-offs and Goby go to https://www.lakehuron.ca/roundgoby Fish die-offs should be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. There is a “Fish Die Off” hotline at 1-800-667-1940 and for more information regarding dead animals or fish found on your property visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/dead-animals-or-fish-found-your-property |
Kennel Licencing and inspections
When applying to operate a kennel in the Township of Huron-Kinloss, a zoning change to your property is required. Contact the Township's Building Department to see if your property is correctly zoned.
Kennel inspections
We inspect kennels during licence renewal every year with drop-in inspections throughout the year. Kennels found in violation of their approved application may face steep fines and/or have their licence revoked.
Poundkeeper
A poundkeeper is responsible to impound horse, bull, ox, cow, sheep, goat, pig or other cattle, geese, or other poultry found running at large, trespassing or doing damage to crops of fences.
For more information or to make a report, contact our By-Law Enforcement Officer.
Livestock Evaluator
The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program provides financial assistance to producers whose livestock, poultry or honeybees have been damaged by wildlife. This program is supported by Growing Forward 2, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada.
How to apply: |
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If you have an injured or deceased livestock that you wish to get compensation for, follow these steps:
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How the process works: |
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It can take up to 47 days to hear a response from Ontario Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) regarding your application. Once your application is received, the Livestock Evaluator has 3 days to conduct an investigation and 10 days to submit their report to the Township. Upon receiving the Livestock Evaluators report, the Township has 7 business days to submit the application to OMAFRA. The owner will be notified of OMAFRA's decision within 30 days of OMAFRA receiving the application from the Township. If their decision is not appealed by the owner, OMAFRA will notify the Township to issue the payment to the livestock owner. |
Appeals |
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The owner of the injured or deceased livestock can appeal OMAFRA's decision. The appeal must be made within 20 days of receiving OMAFRA's decision. |
Compensation |
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