Two dogs looking at the river

The Township of Alfred and Plantagenet Animal Control Services promotes the health and safety of people, pets and animals living together in our community.

Services

  • Twenty-four-hour emergency response to calls for stray dogs requiring immediate medical assistance.
  • Responding to public safety concerns involving an animal or animals jeopardizing public safety.
  • Picking up stray dogs that are lost, returning them to their owners or caring for them at the pound while searching for the owner.
  • Providing the removal of dead wildlife or pets (owner unknown), on public property.
  • Enforcing by-law 2019-57 as well as other related by-laws.
  • Encouraging compliance with animal-related laws and licensing.

Reporting an incident and/or requesting an investigation

When reporting an incident or requesting an investigation, please provide as much information as possible to facilitate a thorough and timely response.

If the concern relates to animals being kept on privately owned property, providing the address is essential. Every situation is unique and the time needed to gain compliance will vary. In cases where an animal owner does not comply with a reasonable amount of time, our officer will issue notices of violation, written warnings, and may lay charges when there is sufficient evidence.

Due to freedom of information issues, each officer is required to make the best effort to ensure that the privacy of individuals is maintained during an investigation. This will often affect the amount of information that can be communicated and the details that can be provided.

Applicable laws and by-laws

Township of Alfred and Plantagenet By-Law 2019-57

Ontario Dog Owner's Liability Act

Ontario Regulation 157/05 Pit Bull Control

Incident involving a dog that bite

What to do when a dog bites

Dog bites should be reported to the Township's Animal Control Services at 613-673-4797 extension 3, as soon as possible. In the event that the bite victim is transported to the hospital, a bite complaint should be made as soon as the treatment is complete.

If a dog bites you and breaks the skin
  • Seek medical attention (call 911 if serious).
  • Report the bite to an Animal Control Officer at 613-673-4797 extension 3.
  • Try to provide a clear description of the dog.
  • Obtain the dog owner's name and address.
  • Write down the date, time and location where the bite occurred.
  • Information about anyone who witnessed the bite.
  • Take a clear photo of the bite injury and document that date and time of the photo.
  • As soon as practical, in your own handwriting, make clear concise notes on what happened and include the date the notes were written.

If a dog bites you and does not break the skin

Call 613-673-4797 extension 3 and provide:

  • A clear description of dog.
  • If possible, the dog owner's name and address.
  • Date, time, and location where the bite occurred.
  • Witness information, if possible.

If you are the owner of a dog that has bitten others
  • Leash your dog and isolate it from causing further threats.
  • Provide your contact information to the victim.
  • Make clear, concise notes of the incident in your own handwriting.
  • If the person's skin has been broken, isolate your dog until contacted by a representative from the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
  • If necessary, consult an expert about your dog's behaviour.

What happens next?

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit will:

  • Initiate an animal to human exposure investigation.
  • Contact the person who has been bitten to take a Rabies Exposure Report.
  • Contact the dog owner (if known) and issue an order that the animal (if a domestic pet) be confined for ten days.

The Township will:

  • Support you by walking you through the process after you've been bitten by a dog.
  • Confirm the bite.
  • Request that the victim and any witness prepare a written statement detailing the incident.
  • Request medical documentation describing the bite wound and continue the investigation.

The following are actions that may be taken:

  • Issue a notice of caution: Where this is the first bite on record, recommend precautions to prevent future biting incidents.
  • Issue a notice to muzzle: Where the bite is severe, and/or the bite is the second subsequent bite on record. A notice to muzzle requires that the dog be muzzled at all times when off the owner's property. At any times the officer may impose a fine of $250 for permitting a dog to attack a person.

Fines

The following are by-laws related to animals and the fines associated with them.

By-law 2007-84Fine

Failure to license dog (per dog)

$80

Dog at large

$80

Nuisance barking

$80

More than 3 dogs per household (per dog)

$80

Allow dog to trespass on private property

$80

Allow dog to attack a person

$250

Allow dog to attack a domestic animal

$250