Animal Control consists of city staff specializing in animal care and licensing at the Burlington Animal Shelter and Animal Control Officers who respond to animal related calls and bylaw complaints. Animal Control helps make our community safe for both people and animals and can assist with questions relating to:
- Animal control bylaws
- Stoop and scoop
- Noise and nuisance
- Animal attacks
- Pitbulls and the Dog Owners Liability Act
- Leash laws
- Cat microchipping
- Animals on the beach
- Animals in facilities
- Animals in parked cars
City parks and public spaces are regularly patrolled by Animal Control Officers to ensure all pets and pet owners are acting responsibly so that everyone can enjoy public spaces.
To report an animal control issue or to lodge a bylaw complaint, please contact Animal Control at 905-335-3030.
Animal Control does not respond to nuisance wildlife calls or wildlife that has taken up residence inside of homes. These calls should be directed to your local humane wildlife control services.
Animal Control Bylaw
The Animal Control by-law 60-2005 includes regulations for dog licensing, attacks, cat microchipping, animals at large, poop and scoop issues, dogs on the beach, and prohibited and restricted animals. Violations can result in a Provincial Offences fine or summon to court.
Stoop and Scoop
Diseases can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with dog droppings and through flies and parasites. Dog droppings contaminate beaches and other public spaces and pose serious health hazards to children playing nearby and to other persons and animals.
Let's work together to keep our public spaces clean by following these simple guidelines:
- Clean up any feces left by your pet on public or private property
- When you are out with your dog, carry a plastic bag
- Pick up the droppings left by your dog using the bag
- Place the bag in the nearest litter container and wash your hands as soon as possible
Noise and Nuisance
According to the applicable sections of by-law 19-2003, "no person shall emit or cause or permit the emission of sound at any time resulting from persistent barking, calling, whining or other similar persistent noise making by any domestic pet or any other animal kept or used for any purpose other than agriculture."
Animal Attacks
All bites or scratches from an animal that cause a break in skin must, by law, be reported immediately to the medical officer of health. If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, especially if rabies is suspected, contact your doctor or your local health department immediately.
If your dog or cat is injured from a fight and you believe it may have been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal:
- Do not handle your pet. There may be fresh saliva from a rabid animal on its coat that may carry the rabies virus
- Isolate your pet
- Call your veterinarian and Animal Control right away
Pitbulls and the Dog Owners Liability Act
Pit Bull Legislation - Ontario Regulation 157/05
Ministry of the Attorney General
Leash Laws
No animals, including cats, may run at large in the City of Burlington. If your pet is off your property, it must be on a leash and led by a competent person. Failure to do so may result in a fine. This law is in place for both the protection of pets and people living in and visiting the City of Burlington.
Cat Microchipping
Microchips are permanent forms of identification for cats that help lost cats get home quickly. Cat owners in the City of Burlington must have their cat properly identified by microchip implantation. Contact your local veterinarian for more information on how to have this done.
Animals on the Beach
All dogs are prohibited from city-owned or operated beaches or the water adjoining the beach with the exception of an aid dog. This bylaw is in place for the safety and enjoyment of both residents and visitors using the beach in the City of Burlington.
Animals in Facilities
No person shall bring an animal into municipal buildings where signs are erected prohibiting animals, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to persons reliant upon an aid dog, or to persons having obtained an exemption permit or other written authorization from the Director.
Service animal questions and answers
Animals in Parked Cars
During the warm weather months, temperatures in parked cars can turn deadly in a matter of minutes, even when the car is parked in the shade or has the windows cracked open. Please do not leave pets alone in the car.
Owners found to have left pets unattended in a vehicle may face charges under the Ontario SPCA Act or the Criminal Code of Canada.
To report an unattended pet in distress call Halton Region Police Service at 905-825-4777 or Burlington Animal Services at 905-335-3030.
Resources
SPCA Ontario - Commonly asked questions about pets in hot cars