Canine Control

The enforcement division of the Clerk's Department is responsible for canine control within the Township of Wilmot.  Any resident who has lost their dog should contact By-law Enforcement or the After Hours Number.

Canine Control is enforced through the Dog and Dog Kennel By-law. The most common questions about this by-law concern noise, number of dogs a resident may have, dogs at large and “poop and scoop.”

Most dogs bark. This is a fact and most people are willing to tolerate occasional barking. When barking becomes excessive then neighbours become less tolerant. Owners are responsible for controlling their dog's barking so that it does not disturb others. Please talk to your neighbours if their dog's barking is bothersome, most people want to be good neighbours. If it continues, please contact By-law Enforcement.

Any resident who owns more than three dogs must apply for a kennel licence. There are certain conditions that must be met for a kennel licence which are outlined in the Dog and Dog Kennel By-law. Residents with questions about kennels can contact By-law Enforcement for more information or to get an application.

If your dog is missing please contact By-law Enforcement during office hours or the After Hours Number. You can also report dogs running at large to the Township but unless the dog is contained it can be very difficult to catch. If the dog is friendly please try to contain the dog and contact By-law Enforcement.

Dog owners must clean up their dog's waste on any property other than their own. This includes private and public property. Undisposed of dog waste is annoying (and disgusting) to adults, children and other animals.

Canine Control concerns like noise, kennels, dogs at large and dog waste can be reported to By-law Enforcement or through Report a Problem.

If there is a dog bite or other form of dog attack on either a person or other domestic animal please contact By-law Enforcement and seek medical attention immediately if necessary. Outside of business hours contact the After Hours Number.

Pit Bull Restrictions

Changes to the Dog Owner's Liability Act and restrictions on pit bulls came into effect on August 29, 2005.

The changes prohibit anyone from owning, breeding, transferring, importing, fighting or abandoning pit bulls. The definition of a pit bull includes pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier or a dog that shares the physical characteristics with any of the above.

For Ontario residents who owned a pit bull when the changes came into effect, the act contains a grandfathering clause which allows pit bulls to remain in Ontario provided the owner can prove the pit bull was in Ontario prior to August 29, 2005 or born within 90 days of August 29, 2005.

For Restricted or “Grandfathered” Pit Bulls, the act requires that restricted pit bulls must be spayed or neutered and must be leashed and muzzled in public. If the owner claims the dog is not a pit bull then it is the owner's responsibility to prove it.

All owners of restricted or grandfathered pit bulls must register their pit bull with the Township.