If you are having problems with animals in your neighbourhood and know who the owner is, we encourage you to first speak to the owner about the issue. Many times informing the person about the issue will solve the problem.

The following will outline a few of the common animal related by-law complaints which animal services receives:

• Dog Bites
• Dogs running at Large
• Barking Dog Complaints
• Poop and Scoop
• Nuisance Cats

The following information is hoped to guide you in choosing the best pet for you and your lifestyle:

• Looking for a new dog?

Dog Bites

Each year hundreds of area residents and domestic pets are bitten or attacked by dogs.

Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their animals do not harm or endanger the health or safety of people or other animals. Since most biting or attacking incidents occur on or near the owner's premises, they are normally preventable if reasonable and common sense precautions are taken. Owners should not assume that their dog will always act predictably, especially in unusual circumstances or with unfamiliar people.

Animal Services will investigate all dog bites (animal-animal and animal-human) that occur within the City. If a dog has bitten you, report the dog bite to Animal Services at 905.420.4666 and write down full details of the bite attack. Remember to get the name, phone number, and address of the dog owner, and the date, location, and time the attack occurred. This information is extremely important and will ensure that animal services staff are able to respond in a fast and efficient manner.

We advise that if an animal has bitten you that you seek medical attention to properly assess any injuries due to the fact that animals can carry zoonotic diseases such as rabies.

We would also advise that if your pet has been bitten by another dog that you take your pet to a local veterinarian to seek medical attention to properly assess any injuries.

The Durham Regional Health Department is also responsible for investigating bites.

The vast majority of animal bite investigations undertaken by the Durham Region Health Department involve vaccinated and non-vaccinated domestic animals such as cats and dogs. However, human contact with any warm blooded animal whether it is domestic or wild (fox, raccoon, bat, etc...), should be reported immediately to the Health Department at one of the following numbers:

Main Office (Whitby):   905.723.3818 ext. 2188 or 1.888.777.9613

For more information on reporting bites and to complete a biting animal report visit the Health Department website.

Dogs found running at Large

The City of Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law states that all dogs must be leashed and under control of a person when the dog is off the premises of the owner, unless the person owning the land on which the dog is found has given prior consent. The City of Pickering does not currently have designated off leash areas.

Animal Services will respond to calls pertaining to all dogs at large and cats, which are sick and / or injured.

Barking Dogs

The City of Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law addresses barking dog issues. Barking may be considered an offence and the owner may be at risk of paying a fine as high at $5000.

Most animal owners do not realize that their pet is disturbing their neighbours. If you have a problem with a noisy animal in your neighbourhood, consider approaching the owner about the issue. Advise them of the problem and ask them to please ensure that the animal does not disturb you in the future. Most owners are responsible and will take the necessary corrective action to solve the problem. If this approach does not work, call Animal Services to file a Noise Complaint.

After a complaint has been filed, Animal Services staff will visit the property in question and educate the owner about the anti-noise by-laws and make recommendations to help them solve their problem.

If the problem persists, legal action may be taken against the animal owner.

Important Information on Filing a Noise Complaint

In order to assist you in dealing with your noise disturbance, it is essential that we have a full understanding of how you are being affected by the noise. When filing a noise complaint, please keep the following questions in mind;

• Can I identify the noisy animal(s) and where it is coming from?
• What time(s) of the day does the noise occur?
• How often is the noise occurring and how long does it continue for?
• How is the noise bothering me; is it interfering with my day-to-day lifestyle?

Poop and Scoop

The City of Pickering's Cat and Dog by-law states that every owner shall immediately remove excrement left by an animal within the City. Complaints of this sort can be difficult to investigate, please call for further information.

Nuisance Cats

Allowing your cat to roam free affects not only you, but also your neighbourhood too! The City of Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law  prohibits cats from being at large or off their owner's property. The City of Pickering's Animal Services encourages all residents to keep their cats inside or, ensure that they are supervised or walked on a leash / harness whenever taken outside. 

Please see the attached brochure for more information on nuisance cats. Nuisance Cat Brochure

Nuisance Cats