Ontario Dog Laws. Fido, Friend or Foe? Once Bill 50 is passed into law and its regulations are issued, I will prepare and post a full "Animal Welfare Law (Ontario) Guide". DOLA allows them to use as much force as is necessary to accomplish this goal. Dr. B November 26, 2019 at 9:11 am # Thanks again Jim for your info. 8(1) Ownership of pit bull other than restricted. You, Your Dog & the Law Link to a printable version of "You, Your Dog & the Law" - in PDF format / in MS Word format, Regulations under DOLA regarding Pit Bull Controls in Ontario, Regulations under DOLA regarding Pit Bull Controls in Ontario amended, Animals for Research Act of Ontario (2005), National Capital Commission, Animal Control Regulations. 4(4) Examples, measures for more effective control. Sometimes, a Good Friend Needs a Lawyer. Donate. In the By-law if an animal control officer deems a dog potentially dangerous or dangerous there may be several conditions imposed to address the danger. Pit Bull . Links Animal Services Licensing Officers are going door to door to educate the dog owners on their responsibilities to purchase licences for their dogs. 2. Get Involved. Service Animal Laws in Ontario. Where damage is caused by being bitten or attacked by a dog on the premises of the owner, the liability of the owner is determined under this Act and not under the Occupiers' Liability Act. Send. Travel & Accommodation, What's New 2005, c. 2, s. 1 (16); S.O. Bad circumstances? Even if you believe that your dog is NOT a pit bull, others may think it is and file a complaint, so do your homework now! If taking photographs of wounds, try to lay something beside them to use for scale. No dog owner should feel secure in the current environment. These Officers will be in uniform and carrying photo identification. Bylaw officers are not trained to distinguish dog breeds (and pit bull is not a recognized breed, but a label). 3. Without limiting the generality of clause (1)(b), it is not desirable in the interests of public safety for a dog to be in a location other than in a pound operated by or on behalf of a municipality, Ontario or a designated body or in a research facility registered under the Animals for Research Act if. In this section, exigent circumstances include circumstances in which the peace officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that entry into any building, receptacle or place, including a dwelling house, is necessary to prevent imminent bodily harm or death to any person or domestic animal. There are as many different dog rules and regulations as there are landlords, so it’s difficult to state what is typical and what isn’t when it comes to the furry friends of prospective and current tenants. The primary dog law in Ontario that bans specific canines is part of the Dog Owners' Liability Act. In determining whether a dog is a pit bull within the meaning of this Act, a court may have regard to the breed standards established for Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers or American Pit Bull Terriers by the Canadian Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club or the American Dog Breeders Association. Hamilton's Responsible Animal Ownership By-law No. (If your dog is a pit bull, or would be perceived by others as a pit bull, in addition to a leash, always muzzle your dog and never take the leash or muzzle off in a public place.) (1) The owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal. In most parts of Ontario, your cat or dog must be vaccinated for rabies as soon as it is 3 months old and must be kept up-to-date for its entire life. write down what happened immediately or as soon thereafter as possible. Unusual contributing circumstances tending to justify the dog's action. Whether you just adopted a new-to-you dog, a shelter dog, brought home a puppy, or want to brush up your adult dog’s training, there are important skills we can teach you and your dog to prepare your pooch for a lifetime of clarity, good manners and companionship. Open daily, except during stat holidays. An individual who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations or who contravenes an order made under this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or both. When a proceeding has been commenced under subsection (1) or (1.1), the Ontario Court of Justice may, pending a determination of whether an order should be made under subsection (3) or pending an appeal of such an order, make an interim order requiring the owner to take measures specified in the interim order for the more effective control of the dog. Ontario has the strongest penalties in Canada against animal cruelty. S.O. Section 4 (10) of the DOLA says that proving the dog’s breed is the owner's responsibility. Dogs must be kept on a leash no more than 2 metres long and owners must be holding onto the leash (tethering a dog to a pole or bike rack is prohibited). Links are also provided for legislation pertaining to cruelty to animals and blind persons and guide dogs. Dog owners are liable in the instance of a bite on another person or animal. regulations and federal legislation. (ii) behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals. Today I will be talking about Service Dog Laws in Ontario, Canada. Restraining the dog by means of a leash. Dog Despite clause 6(a), a person may own a pit bull if it is a restricted pit bull. Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations. Ontario holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bites. (c) transfer a pit bull, whether by sale, gift or otherwise; (d) abandon a pit bull other than to a pound operated by or on behalf of a municipality, Ontario or a designated body; (e) allow a pit bull in his or her possession to stray; 2000, c. 26, Sched. Part IX of the Provincial Offences Act applies to a proceeding under this section. Despite clause 6(c) and subject to the regulations, an owner of a restricted pit bull may transfer that pit bull by gift or bequest. In the long run, the money spent will be well worth it. 5. "owner", when used in relation to a dog, includes a person who possesses or harbours the dog and, where the owner is a minor, the person responsible for the custody of the minor; ("propriétaire"). (see below), an information The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the control of pit bulls. Essentially, under the law, dog owners are liable for any injury or damage to people or property that their dog causes. Board of Directors regulations and federal legislation in MS Word format. 2. All service providers that operate premises open to the public, or to third parties that serve the public, must welcome service animals. (1.b)), You need to keep your dog under control at ALL times. If you do take your dog to off-leash parks, keep an eye out for distractions that might prevent your dog from coming to you when you call. It’s important to remember that in Ontario there are laws relating, but not specific, to the transportation of animals. A controversial new Ontario law to crack down on animal rights activists who trespass on farms takes effect Saturday, packing harsher penalties for … Endangered Species Act, 2007. Momentum is growing for an end to Ontario’s 2005 pit bull ban with the NDP and Green party questioning the legislation passed by a previous Liberal government after a … A peace officer named in a warrant who is executing a warrant under this section may be accompanied by one or more veterinarians or animal control personnel as are reasonably required to give effect to the safe and humane seizure of the dog, whether the accompanying persons are named in the warrant or not. The Act prohibits denying accommodation, services or facilities to an individual or discriminating against an individual with respect to accommodation, services or facilities because the individual is a person with a disability who is accompanied by a service dog or who requires the accompaniment of a support person or the use of an assistive device to assist them with their service dog… Contact Us But such activists have slammed it as an “ag-gag” law, saying it will stop them from exposing animal cruelty on farms. It takes part of its name from Admaston, Staffordshire, a small English hamlet. Ontario is committed to protecting service and support dogs. Hours of Operation Monday - Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday + Holidays CLOSED. (b) it is not desirable in the interests of public safety that the dog be in that location. As Amended By: By-law No. A proceeding may be commenced in the Ontario Court of Justice against an owner of a dog if it is alleged that. Disclaimer, CCGC Test Every warrant issued under this section shall name a date on which it expires, which date shall be not later than 30 days after its issue. Precautions taken by the owner to preclude similar attacks in the future. he is still, more less, my family pet, but now he accompanies me everywhere, 24/7. Be a responsible dog owner. These disabilities can range from social phobias, to depression, to anxiety, and to PTSD. Dog and Cat Law (Ontario) (01 August 2019) Chapter 7 - Civil Liability, Trespass and Related Topics. Once these dogs are fully trained and certified, they have the same privileges as the service dogs from agencies. stiff fines, a jail term or both. Brasileiros, Argentinian Dogos and dogs resembling these breeds should be There are two ways that service providers can tell whether or not a customer’s animal is a service animal: 1. Miscellaneous Articles It was formed on January 1, 2000, when Admaston and Bromley Townships were amalgamated. You must understand that accusations can be made against a dog/dog owner if the dog comes into contact with someone who calls bylaw or the police. Ontario has passed new animal welfare legislation that will be enforced by a specialized team of provincial inspectors. are also provided for legislation pertaining to cruelty to animals, and blind Your details were sent successfully! The more pictures the better, because you can't bring the dog into the court room or the Tribunal hearing to dispute what the prosecution is saying, but you can have the judge or Tribunal members view and compare pictures. While an assistance animal (classified as a service animal or … Getting an emotional support animal in Ontario, Canada can be a life-changing experience. A, s. 6; 2005, c. 2, s. 1(6)-(13). First, you should know that Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act does not permit landlords to include “no pet” clauses in rental agreements. This means leashed when outside the home, unless you’re in an off-leash park. The improbability that a similar attack will be repeated. Ontario (Attorney General), 2007 CanLII 9231 (ON S.C.), Ms. Catherine Cochrane sued the Province of Ontario to prevent it from enforcing the Dog Owner's Liability Act (DOLA) ban on pit bull–type dogs, arguing that the law was unconstitutionally broad because the ban was grossly disproportionate to the risk pit bulls pose to public safety, and that the law was unconstitutionally vague because it failed to … particularly alert to breed specific legislation. Except as permitted by this Act or the regulations, no person shall. For the purposes of this Act, the following persons are peace officers: 1. Despite section 14 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and section 11 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, if there is a conflict between a provision of this Act or of a regulation under this or any other Act relating to pit bulls and a provision of a by-law passed by a municipality relating to pit bulls, the provision that is the most restrictive in relation to controls or bans on pit bulls prevails. C, s. 13. A controversial new Ontario law to crack down on animal rights activists who trespass on farms takes effect Saturday, packing harsher penalties for break-ins. Admaston/Bromley is an incorporated township in Renfrew County, Eastern Ontario, Canada. If a "peace officer" (police, bylaw or other authorities designated under DOLA s. 12) believes that a dog owner has committed any offence under DOLA, (s. 13) he or she can get a warrant to enter any premises to seize a dog or dogs. Under the Dog Owner’s Liability Act (known as DOLA), anyone can file a complaint that your dog “poses a menace” to either a person or domestic animal. A police officer, including a police officer within the meaning of the Police Services Act, a special constable, a First Nations Constable and an auxiliary member of a police force. ensure the dog is up-to-date for their rabies vaccination, which is required by law in Ontario; Once Toronto Animal Services receives information about a dog that has committed a dangerous act, the following happens: If the dog is still on the loose, an officer will respond within two hours. If a charge is laid against you/your dog, that your dog is a pit bull under the Dog Owner's Liability Act, your defence should focus on proving that your dog is not. In general, a psychiatric service dog or an emotional support animal (ESA) is defined as any animal that brings comfort and support to an individual with a psychological, mental or emotional disability. 4. No action or other proceeding may be instituted against a member of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario for providing, in good faith, a document described in subsection (1). persons and guide dogs. The owner of a dog that is subject to an order under clause (3)(b) shall ensure that the dog is neutered or spayed, as the case may be, within 30 days of the making of the order or, if the court specifies a different time period, within the time period specified by the court. By-Laws (b) behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals. (i) biting or attacking a person or domestic animal. Summary: This Ontario, Canada set of laws comprises the Dog Owners' Liability Act. A: It’s a sad state of affairs when reckless owners allow their dog to charge or when people use leashes that are well beyond what most municipal bylaws allow. 12-031 (PDF, 963 KB) ensures the health and safety of residents, The Dog Owners’ Liability Act of Ontario outlines your responsibilities when it comes to your dog. and mixed breeds can be improperly labelled. To ensure a dog is a respected member of the community, The Canadian Canine Good Citizen test is recommended, to make sure dogs are trained and conditioned to act mannerly in … Get a lawyer familiar with the Dog Owner's Liability Act, Animals for Research Act, your municipality's animal control bylaw and all other applicable legislation for the area in which you live. We are sad to announce that on November 27, 2020, Douglas Ivan Reid (Port Dover, Ontario) passed away. See Section 12 of the By-law for further details. Overview; Civil Liability for Dog Harm; Municipal By-Laws "Self-Help" (a) Overview (b) Protection of Livestock and Poultry from Dogs Act (c) Dogs and Hunting/Fishing; Dogs and Public Parkland; Civil Liability for Harm on Dogs and Cats ; Dogs and Residential Tenancies _____ 1. Read on to learn more about certifying your service dog in Ontario. Any other circumstances that the court considers to be relevant. An inspector or agent under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Dog owners requiring legal assistance are welcome to contact Terry Green of Green & Vespry Law Offices, 200-190 O’Connor Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2R3, Telephone 613.560.6565. The law does allow certain pit bulls into Ontario for recognized dog shows under limited circumstances (see above: Pit Bull Ban — Exceptions for Dog Shows and Flyball Tournaments). Date Passed at Council PH-3-95001 April 18, 1995 PH-3-96002 May 6, 1996 PH-3-96003 June 17, 1996 PH-3-96004 September 16, 1996 PH-3-97005 October 20, 1997 PH-3-98006 September 21, 1998 PH-3-99007 March 22, 1999 PH-3-99008 August 3, 1999 PH-3-01009 January 15, 2001 PH-3-01010 August 7, 2001 … Adopt. © 2020 Michigan State University College of Law. Dog-Friendly Places According to the government, the law was put into place to make people safer by protecting them from potentially dangerous and violent dogs. Overview; Civil Liability for Dog Harm; Municipal By-Laws "Self-Help" (a) Overview (b) Protection of Livestock and Poultry from Dogs Act (c) Dogs and Hunting/Fishing; Dogs and Public Parkland; Civil Liability for Harm on Dogs and Cats ; Dogs and Residential Tenancies _____ 1. Practice Areas; Mediation; History and Background; New Clients; About Us; Press / Media; Articles / Blogs; Contact Us; Select Page . The dog's physical potential for inflicting harm. Ontario. Types of Invisible Disabilities. Rottweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback or Labrador Retriever cross) and check standards for those breeds as well. information brochure written and published by Green & Vespry Law Offices. 3. No person who owned one or more pit bulls on the day subsection 1(16) of the Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 comes into force shall acquire a pit bull under subsection (1) after that day if the effect of the acquisition would be that the person owns more pit bulls after that day than on that day. ("règlement"). Ontario Statutes - Dog Owners' Liability Act. If You Think Your Dog is a Pit Bull . (b) that the owner of the dog take the measures specified in the order for the more effective control of the dog or for purposes of public safety. A conviction carries a fine of up to $3,000. The main thrust of the law is to establish that an owner is liable for damages if his or her dog bites or attacks another person or domestic animal. 1990, c. D.16, s. 2 (1). Read all you can about the standards for various Bull Terrier breeds (for example, at the Canadian Kennel Club and American Kennel Club web sites), try to determine what your dog is (e.g. This way if an establishment refuses to allow a service dog on the premises, then they are not obeying the law. Despite the unwavering loyalty and love your dog constantly exudes, one bite can lead to … (1.c)(i) and (ii)), Bylaw officers, like police, will err on the side of caution and write up a ticket, and then the onus is on the dog owner to prove that the charge is false. The liability of the owner does not depend upon knowledge of the propensity of the dog or fault or negligence on the part of the owner, but the court shall reduce the damages awarded in proportion to the degree, if any, to which the fault or negligence of the plaintiff caused or contributed to the damages. 2000, c. 26, Sched. Regulation; Dead Animal Disposal. Despite the unwavering loyalty and love your dog … Under DOLA, (s. 15) if it is believed that a dog owner is, or has at any time, been in violation of the Act, police or bylaw officers may seize any dog in public regardless of the breed of dog. 4. "No owner of a dog shall permit or cause the dog to cry or bark in a manner which disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or of persons in the vicinity of the place where the dog is kept." shelter@lanarkanimals.ca (613) 283-9308. R.S.O. At Ontario Dog Trainer, we believe that there are no bad dogs, only confused dogs. Despite clause 6(a), a research facility registered under the Animals for Research Act may own a pit bull that is not a restricted pit bull that is transferred to it under the Animals for Research Act. 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