DOG Licences

Overview

In accordance with By-law No. 95-302 entitled "A By-law to provide for the licensing and regulating the keeping of dogs," all canine owners are required to purchase a licence immediately upon taking possession of a dog. The licence must be renewed annually for as long as a dog is owned, harboured or possessed. 

View the Dog Licence By-Law

The By-law also outlines the responsibility of the dog owner for:

Removal of Animal Waste

Any person who owns, controls or harbours a dog shall remove forthwith any feces left by such dog on a highway, in a public park, on a square, on an avenue, on a sidewalk, on a driveway or on any public or private property situate in the City of St. Catharines. Failure to promptly remove the feces shall be deemed to be a breach of the by-law.

Complaints should be submitted in writing, identifying the name and address of the dog owner, to Legal Services.

Dogs Running at Large and Leashing

No owner of a dog shall allow a dog to run at large within the limits of the City. A dog shall be deemed to be running at large when found in any place other than the premises of the owner of the dog and not under the control of any person. A dog shall be deemed to be not under the control of any person when the dog is not on a leash held by a person or not otherwise physically restrained. Every person having control of a dog in a place other than his premises or the premises of the owner shall secure the dog to a leash not exceeding three metres in length and shall keep hold of such leash.

Complaints should be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society at 905.682.0767.

 Visit the Lincoln County Humane Society.

Muzzling of Vicious Dogs

The City Clerk is empowered to declare that a dog is vicious upon receipt of a signed declaration or affidavit, attested to by a witness who actually saw the alleged vicious dog bite a person or domestic animal. The declaration must identify the dog, the dog owner and address.

Upon receipt of a duly executed declaration, the City Clerk must notify the owner of the vicious dog and require that the dog be muzzled and restrained pursuant to the by-law. The owner of the vicious dog can apply for a public hearing held before City Council to appeal the declaration.

Barking Dogs

Barking dog complaints are addressed through the City's Noise By-law. Complaints must be in writing, setting out the details of the complaint, and identifying the name and address of the dog owner. Information should be forwarded to City Hall, Attention Legal Services.

Process

All licences, regardless of their date of purchase, expire on December 31 each year. Citizens must purchase dog licences by January 31 of each year. Those purchased after January 31 will be charged a late fee. A dog licence can be purchased in person or by mail.

Download a Dog Licence Application

Completed forms can be forwarded to:

Financial Management Services Department,
City Hall
P.O. Box 3012,
50 Church St.,
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2.

The City Clerk´s Office maintains a registry of all licensed dogs within the City of St. Catharines. Call 905-688-5601, ext. 1513, if you have moved or you no longer have your dog.

Fees

For each male or female dog	$45
For each spayed or neutered dog (veterinary certificate required)	$25
Each additional male/female dog (maximum 3 per household)	$50
Dogs under six months old	$25
Late Fee ( After Jan 31)	$10
Replacement Dog Tag	$1
Registered Kennel Owner	$100
Licences for Dogs Purchased After June 30 (proof of purchase required)
For each male or female dog	$22
For each spayed or neutered dog (veterinary certificate required)	$12