Pet ownership has many benefits, but with ownership comes responsibility. Observing the Animal Control Bylaw following bylaw requirements are steps you can take to ensure you are being a responsible pet owner.
Pet License
License your dog and/or cat. Licenses must be renewed in January of each year. License fees are $15.00 per dog or cat and $5.00 for tag replacement.
At Large Animals
Dogs and cats are not permitted to be at large. When outside of the owner’s property all animals must be on a leash. While cats do not generally pose a threat to people’s safety, they are often found running at large and can be a real nuisance, damaging gardens and flower beds, leaving their feces behind, and roaming on other people’s properties.
Any animal found running at large may be impounded by the Bylaw Enforcement Officer or any person designated by a Member of Council.
The Scoop on Poop
Clean up after your pet. If a pet defecates on any property other than the owner’s, the pet owner must remove the defecation immediately. This rule also applies to pet owners who run their animals at the ball diamonds or any other public green space. Pet owners must remove feces from their own property on a weekly basis.
Animal Noise
Do not allow your pet to create excessive noise by ululating, howling or barking. Loud animals can create undue hardship on shift workers, seniors, sleeping infants, those wanting to enjoy their yard, as well as providing an annoyance to all neighbours.
Reporting an Animal
To report a stray or injured animal, or to inquire about missing pets, please contact the Town Office.
You can also check out the Facebook Page: Leader & Area Lost and Found Pets, to see if your lost pet has been found.
Bylaw Enforcement
If you and your pet are found to be in contravention of the Animal Control Bylaw you may be fined according the fee scheduled outlined below.
| 1st Offence | 2nd Offence | 3rd Offence & All Subsequent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to obtain a license for dog/cat | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |
| Unauthorized removal of a license tag | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |
| Exceeding the maximum number of animals (per animal) | $100.00 | $200.00 | $300.00 |
| Owning or harboring a prohibited animal listed in Schedule B | $150.00 | $250.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Interfering with an Animal Control Officer | $150.00 | $250.00 | $500.00 |
| Nuisance Animal | $50.00 | $100.00 | $500.00 |
| Animal Caught Running at Large | |||
| Licensed Dog/Cat | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |
| Animal or Non-Licensed Dog/Cat | $100.00 | $250.00 | $500.00 |
| Pound Fees | |||
| Fee for impoundment | $50.00 | ||
| Fee per day or part thereof to keep an animal in the pound | $20.00 | ||
| Defecation | |||
| Defecation on property other than the Owner’s Property | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |
| Defecation not removed from the Owner’s property weekly | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |