Animal Services

The Municipality of Central Huron ensures that our community is a safe and healthy environment for both our residents and animals. The Animal Control Officer is responsible for animal control services in the Municipality of Central Huron and ensuring compliance with the Municipality's Animal Control Bylaw.

Please note that the Municipality does not provide Animal Control Services beyond Dogs. 

Wildlife Danger/Threat 
  • If your animal or wildlife concern poses an immediate danger, or if the animal is aggressive and may injure someone, call the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at 9-1-1.
  • If you have been bitten, or had direct contact with an animal that you suspect is diseased, seek medical attention and the hospital will report it to Huron Perth Public Health.
Who Do I Call if I Have an Animal Control Concern?
  • If your animal or wildlife concern poses an immediate danger, or if the animal is aggressive and may injure someone, call the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at 9-1-1
  • If there is a dog running at large (i.e. off-leash), please call the Municipal Office by phone 519-482-3997 and the concern will be forwarded to the Dog Catcher between the hours of 7AM – 9PM on weekdays. The Dog Catcher will only pick-up dogs that are contained within the Municipality and not running at large. Please note, if you find a dog at large after our regular hours of service from 9PM - 7AM or during the weekend, leave a message and our Dog Catcher will normally respond within one (1) business day. In the meantime, the Municipality does not recommend that you attempt to assist or maintain the animal.
  • If you have a concern about an Animal Control Offence (e.g. barking dogs), please either call the Municipal Office by phone at 519-482-3997 and the concern will be forwarded to the By-Law Enforcement Officer for investigation or complete a complaint online. It should be noted that Central Huron does not have the resources to address animal control offences immediately. However, all concerns and complaints are normally responded to within one (1) week of reception. 

 
 Livestock Claims

The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program provides financial assistance to farmers whose livestock, poultry, or honey bees have been damaged or killed by wildlife.

For more information or to report a livestock that has been damaged by wildlife, please contact the Clerk's department by calling 519-482-3997 or emailing clerk@centralhuron.com with your name, address and information about the damage. Our Livestock Valuator will come to your property to assess the damage. A report will then be submitted to be reviewed by OMAFRA. See the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program for full Program Guidelines.

When making a claim:

  • Do not move the livestock before an investigation takes place
  • Take three to six pictures of the injured or killed livestock
  • Include pictures of the site to show the location of the incident, which will help the livestock valuer with their assessment in case weather is a factor
Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Process
  1. Discover: The owner informs the Clerk of the Municipality of Central Huron within 48 hours of discovery if predation is believed to be the cause of injury or death and sufficient evidence exists.
  2. Notify: The Municipality of Central Huron Clerk's Department will immediately inform the Municipal Investigator/Livestock and Poultry Evaluator.
  3. Investigate & Document: The Municipal Investigator/Livestock and Poultry Evaluator will conduct a thorough investigation within 72 hours of being notified. The investigation will ensure all relevant evidence is documented through detailed colour photos and a completed application form.
  4. Submit: The Municipal Investigator/Livestock and Poultry Evaluator will submit a completed application to the Municipality of Central Huron's Clerk within 7 business days of conducting the investigation. The owner can also submit additional evidence that may be relevant (e.g. registration documents or photos) to the Clerk within 7 business days of the on-site investigation.
  5. Apply: The Municipality of Central Huron will submit the completed application to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), along with any additional evidence provided by the owner, within 7 business days of the on-site investigation.
  6. Assess & Assign Compensation: OMAFRA will review the application for completeness and eligibility. Compensation will be assigned and the owner will be informed of the decision within 30 business days of submitting the complete application.
  7. Accept or Appeal: The owner has 20 business days of the decision letter being issued to appeal the outcome of their application.
  8. Pay: If no appeal is requested within 20 business days of the decision letter being issued, OMAFRA will notify the Clerk.
  9. Reimburse: OMAFRA will provide reimbursement to the Municipality of Central Huron equal to the value assigned in the decision letter. The reimbursement is then issued to the owner by the Municipality of Central Huron.

 
 Wildlife

The Municipality of Central Huron does not provide a service to deal with nuisance wildlife on private property. 

For wildlife concerns, please reference the information below regarding your specific inquiry. Please note that nuisance wildlife issues on private property are the responsibility of the landowner. Landowners can call private sector pest control / animal control companies to remove wildlife from their properties at their own expense. 

Reporting a Dead Animal
  • To report a dead animal on a municipal road or property, please contact the Municipal Office at 519-482-3997 or by emailing reception@centralhuron.com. 
Rabies
Private Property
  • Nuisance wildlife issues on private property are the responsibility of the landowner. Owners can call pest control or wildlife control companies to remove wildlife at their own expense.
 Making an Animal Control Complaint
  • If you have a concern about an Animal Control Offence (e.g. barking dogs), please make a complaint online or call the municipal office at 519-482-3997 and the concern will be forwarded to the By-Law Enforcement Officer for investigation.
  • It should be noted that Central Huron does not have the resources to address animal control offences immediately. However, all concerns and complaints are normally responded to within one (1) week of reception. 
Dog Licenses

The Municipality of Central Huron has a lifetime dog tag program. Your dog will have the same tag while they reside in Central Huron. Invoices will be sent to owners annually for a renewal license fee. All Dogs in the Municipality must be licensed as per our Animal Control By-law. 

The tag must be worn on your dog at all times. A dog tag is the best form of identification for your dog as it will help with returning lost dogs to their owners. If your dog is picked up without a dog licence, you may be subject to additional fees. All dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash and abide by "poop and scoop" regulations.

 

Registering your dog

One tag is issued for each dog, for the lifetime of the dog. Annual renewal licence fees are due by March 31st of each year and you must have a dog licence, or you may be subject to a penalty.

If you have a new dog, you can register your dog online using our Registration Form and receive your dog tag in the mail, or you can visit the Municipal Office to register your dog and pick up your dog tag.

Fees & Payment

Annual renewal licence fees are due by March 31st each year for each dog. If payment is not received by April 1st then a late penalty will apply. If your invoice is still outstanding by the end of July, the dog tag fees plus penalty will be applied to your property tax account or sent for collections. 

Payments can be made at the Municipal Office by cash, cheque, or debit.

Payments can also be made online with PaySimply with credit or Interac e-Transfer, or in-person at the post office. Please use your invoice number as your account number. (Note: PaySimply applies a convenience fee to cover payment handling and processing charges which are taken off the total amount paid; ensure to add the fees to the bill amount. Please allow up to 3 business days for processing.)

  • Male or Female Dog - $25.00
  • Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull - $205.00 (annually)
  • Vicious Dog - $205.00 (annually)
  • Dog Tag Replacement - $10.00
  • Late Penalty on Dog Tag if not paid by March 31st - $20.00
  • Replacement Dog Tag - $10.00
  • Kennel License (must be approved by Municipality) - $150.00

Cancelling a Dog Tag

If you have moved or no longer require a dog tag, please contact the Municipal Office at 519-482-3997 or by email at reception@centralhuron.com.

Kennel Licensing

A Kennel License is required for owners who have more than three (3) dogs on their property. The Municipality of Central Huron regulates dog kennel licenses. If you are interested in getting a Kennel License, please contact the Municipal Office by phone 519-482-3997.