The Town of Ajax announced it is planning an updated Dog & Cat bylaw that licences and regulates certain animals within the limits of the town.
A town notice said the bylaw is currently under review.
“Several changes to the bylaw are being proposed regarding enforcement practices definitions and procedures,” it said.
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
The notice said 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 Bylaw Services is put in the position of taking emergency temporary custody of animals with no alternate contact; and
- ensure that the Dog & Cat Bylaw remains the appropriate tool so that safe care and control of dog and cats is maintained within the town
Public Meeting
The town’s Community Affairs and Planning Committee, has called a public meeting, on Monday, September 3 at 7 pm, to consider the passing of a Dog & Cat By-law.
This public meeting will be held in-person in Council Chambers, located at Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, and will be live-streamed for public viewing.
Those wishing to make oral submissions can attend in-person to address the Community Affairs and Planning Committee;
- Town of Ajax IMO page – Dog & Cat By-law Review Consultation
- Notice of Public Meeting – Dog & Cat By-law Flyer