Dog & Cat By-law Review Consultation
The Town’s Dog & Cat By-law is currently under review. Several changes to the By-law are being proposed regarding enforcement practices definitions and procedures. A summary of these changes includes:
- Edits to the definitions of “excessive barking”, “multi-use pathway”, “off-road trail”, “protective care”, and “shelter”;
- Addition of a restriction of maximum leash length to multi-use pathways and off-road trails;
- Addition of a new section regarding protective custody, and
- Addition of a section on signage prohibiting entry in parkland;
- Addition of restrictions of a dog on parkland within two meters of:
a) a playground or play structure;
b) a wading pool;
c) a spray pad; or
d) a splash pad
Changes to the Dog & Cat By-law are being proposed to:
- provide clarification of definitions;
- respond to resident complaints and current community trends;
- address increasing situations where By-law Services is put in the position of taking emergency temporary custody of animals with no alternate contact; and
- ensure that the Dog & Cat By-law remains the appropriate tool so that safe care and control of dog and cats is maintained within the Town
Please review a copy of the Draft Dog & Cat By-law and the Rationale Handout for more information.
Staff will be bringing forward the revised Dog & Cat By-law to the Community Affairs and Planning Committee in the fall of 2024. The Town is encouraging feedback from the public. Please take a few minutes to leave your questions and comments below.
Get Involved
Complete the Survey
To help guide the process, share your opinion and complete the Dog & Cat By-law survey linked below, by June 21, 2024.
Attend the Consultation Session
Meet with By-law Services staff to learn more about the project and share your feedback:
Consultation Session
Council Chambers, 65 Harwood Ave. S.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
7 p.m.
In-person and hybrid participation is available. Please register to attend by no later than noon on Friday, July 5, 2024 using the online registration link or contact any of the Project Leads listed on the right-hand side of the screen.
For more information about this project, contact one of the project managers on the right side bar under Who's Listening.
TAKE NOTICE THAT the Community Affairs and Planning Committee of the Corporation of the Town of Ajax, will be holding a Public Meeting, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 1 p.m., to consider the passing of a Dog & Cat By-law, being a By-law to licence and regulate certain animals or classes thereof within the limits of the Town of Ajax, or defined areas therein.
How to Participate
This public meeting is being held in-person in Council Chambers, located at Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax ON, L1S 2H9 and will be live-streamed for public viewing at ajax.ca/live. Those wishing to make oral submissions can attend in-person to address the Community Affairs and Planning Committee; Please note that pre-registration is not required for in-person oral submissions to the Community Affairs & Planning Committee during a Public Meeting. Delegates are allotted 5 minutes to address Committee.
If you are unable to attend in person, electronic remote participation via the Town’s Hybrid Conference System is available as an option. To participate remotely, please email clerks@ajax.ca no later than noon the business day preceding the meeting.
Written submissions may be provided for the Committee’s consideration before the meeting. Please submit your written comments before the end of day on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 by e-mail to Derek Hannan, Manager of By-law Services, at Derek.Hannan@ajax.ca.
Please note that all previous comments received have been taken into consideration by staff and will be provided for the Committee’s consideration before the meeting.
Please contact Derek Hannan, Manager of By-law Services, should you have any questions.
Derek Hannan
Manager of By-law Services
(905) 619-2529 ext. 3344
Derek.Hannan@ajax.ca
