Common Animal Issues

We promote responsible pet ownership through educating the public on animal related issues, and through the enforcement of various animal related laws.

Some of the most common animal related complaints are highlighted below and are enforced through the City's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law (6811/07)

All dogs must also comply with the Dog Owners' Liability Act.

To file an animal related complaint, please contact our Customer Care Centre.

Dog Bites

Owners are responsible for ensuring their dogs do not harm other people or animals.

We will investigate all dog bites that occur within the City. Call us to report a dog bite at 905.683.7575 with full details of the bite attack. This includes:

• name, phone number and address of dog owner
• date, location and time of attack

Seek immediate medical attention following an animal bite, as they can carry transmittable diseases such as rabies.

The Durham Regional Health Department is responsible for investigating dog bites to humans for the purpose of rabies control, and will quarantine the animal in question. 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 through their online reporting system or by calling one of the following numbers:

Health Connection Line
Telephone (within regional limits): 311
Telephone: 905-668-2020
Toll-Free: 1-800-841-2729

Dogs Found Running at Large

Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law states that all dogs must be leashed when off of the owner's property, or have the consent of the land owner whose property the dog is on. The City has three designated leash free areas in Pickering. Visit our leash free area page for more information.

We will respond to calls of sick or injured stray dogs or cats.

Barking Dogs

Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law regulates barking dog issues. Barking can be considered an offence and owners could pay a fine as high as $5,000.

If you have already tried to speak with the dog owner and the barking continues, contact our Customer Care Centre at 905.683.7575 to file a noise complaint. An Officer will visit the owner and make recommendations to solve their problem. Legal action may be taken if the problem persists.

When filing a noise complaint, have the following in mind:

• location of barking dog
• time of day the noise occurs
• how often the noise and occurs and length of time
• how the noise directly affects you

For more information see our Barking Dogs Brochure.

Stoop and Scoop

Animal Services has recently seen an increase in complaints about residents not picking up after their pets. In some cases the residents are picking it up but then leaving the plastic bag on the ground. Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law states that owners must immediately remove and dispose of excrement left by their animal within the City.

Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law states that owners must immediately remove excrement left by their animal within the City. Complaints of this sort can be difficult to investigate, please contact us for further information.

Failure to comply can result in ticket or fines up to $5,000. Please do your part, be a good neighbour and help keep Pickering clean.

Nuisance Cats

Pickering's Responsible Pet Ownership By-law prohibits cats from being off their owner's property without a leash. We encourage residents to keep their cats inside or ensure that they are supervised or walked on a leash whenever taken outside.

View the nuisance cats brochure for more information.

Animal Cruelty

Provincial Animal Welfare Services is the enforcement agency responsible for investigating animal cruelty complaints in Ontario. Cruelty to any animal is not tolerated in Ontario. If you think an animal is in distress or is being abused, call; 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625).