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Frequently Asked Questions: By-law Enforcement

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Barking Dogs
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Defecating / Feces
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Dogs Running at Large
.
Restrictions as to Number of
Animals Kept
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Related Links
By-law Enforcement
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Defecating / Feces
.
Restrictions as to Number of
Animals Kept
.
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Barking Dogs

Defecating / Feces

Dogs Running at Large

Restrictions as to Number of Animals Kept

 

Barking Dogs

How do I report a barking Dog?
To register a complaint about a barking dog, call Animal Services Agency at 311.  At that time you will be asked a series of questions:

  • your name, address and phone number
  • the address of where the dog lives
  • the date and time that you last saw the dog barking to disturb you
  • a description of the dog that you saw barking

Your complaint will be registered and an Animal Services Agency Officer will investigate. Please note that Animal Services Agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.

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What times of day can a dog bark?

The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20 (1)(b) states that a dog cannot bark or howl or in any other way unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s).  This by-law is in effect 24 hours a day.

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Why can’t a dog bark during the day?
Your dog cannot unduly disturb anyone at anytime of day.  There are many reasons why a dogs barking might disturb someone during the day; your neighbours maybe shift workers and sleep during the day or perhaps your neighbours are sick and must rest. Whatever the reason, the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 is in effect 24 hours a day.

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What am I suppose to do about my dog barking? That’s what dogs do.

Barking is the normal way a dog communicates vocally, but a barking dog can be a serious neighborhood nuisance. The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20.(1)(b) states that your dog cannot bark or howl or in any other way unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s).

Some suggestions if your dog is barking and disturbing your neighbours:

  • Keeping your dog indoors can help prevent it from disturbing your neighbours

  • Sometimes dogs bark when they are not getting adequate care, if they are lonely, bored or looking for attention. Being a responsible dog owner means you will provide your dog with the attention and daily exercise it needs

  • A dog can learn not to bark. Well trained dogs are less likely to become problem barkers, so look into obedience classes for your dog.

  • If puppies show a tendency to bark, hold their muzzles gently and scold them. Aversive conditioning is the best way to control barking in older dogs. They learn to associate barking with an unpleasant experience, such as isolation. This conditioning should never be painful to the animal.

  • The Animal Services Agency rents out Anti-Bark collars that are filled with Citronella spray that does not hurt the dog

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My dog only barks when someone walks by. What am I suppose to do about that?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 states that your dog cannot unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s).  If your dog is disturbing your neighbours for any reason, they can file a complaint with Animal Services Agency.

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How much is the fine for a barking dog?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 states that your dog cannot unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s).  If your dog is disturbing your neighbours for any reason, they can file a complaint with Animal Services Agency.

The specific penalty as set in the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 for allowing your dog to bark is $100.00.

Defecating / Feces

How do I report a dog owner that doesn’t clean up after their dog?
To register a complaint about a dog defecating, call Animal Services Agency at 311.  At that time you will be asked a series of questions:

  • your name, address and phone number
  • the address of where the dog lives
  • the date and time that you last saw the dog defecating off it’s property
  • a description of the dog that you saw defecating off it’s property

Your complaint will be registered and an Animal Services Agency Officer will investigate. Please note that Animal Services Agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.

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I didn’t see the dog actually defecate, but I know it my neighbour’s dog.  Can I still register a complaint?
It is unfair to simply make an assumption that it is your neighbour’s dog that defecated. You must have seen the dog defecate off its property before an accusation can be made against the dog owner.

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The dog urinates on the grass in front of my house.  Is that considered defecating?
No, the dog urinating is not considered defecating off its property.

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The dog defecates and the owner cleans it up right away, but I don’t want it to mess on the boulevard.  What can you do about that?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20.(1)(c) allows for the dog owner to clean up the excrement immediately and not be in violation of the Pound By-law.

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Can you make the dog owner come back and clean up the mess their dog made?
No, the Pound By-law does not provide for this.

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My neighbour won’t clean up his yard and the excrement stinks.  What can I do?
Animal Services Agency enforces the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law which has authority only when a dog defecates off the owners property.  When a dog owner does not clean up his own property, you should contact the City of Winnipeg Environmental Health Services

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Does Animal Services Agency do patrols of parks where there is a problem with dog feces?
Yes, Animal Services Agency will do patrols of specific areas when a problem has been identified.  To register a complaint, contact Animal Services Agency at 311.

Dogs Running at Large

What can I do about stray dogs in my neighbourhood?
Call Animal Services Agency at 311 to register a complaint about dogs running at large. At that time you will be asked a series of questions:

  • your name, address and phone number
  • the address of where the dog lives, if known
  • the date and time that you last saw the dog off it’s property
  • a description of the dog

Your complaint will be registered and an Animal Services Agency Officer will investigate. Please note that Animal Services Agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.

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Is there a by-law about my neighbours dog running around without a leash on?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20.(1)(a) states that no owner shall permit his dog to run at large. 

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What does run at large mean?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 16. defines “at large” as being off the premises of the owner and not on a leash held by a person able to control the dog.  The leash shall be no longer than six (6) feet.

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Can I let my dog run off leash in the school grounds if no one is around?
No – the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20.(1)(h) prohibits dogs on any school or playground, at anytime.

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Does a dog have to be behind a fence?
No, the by-law does not require that a dog be behind a fence only that it remains on its owner’s property.  If off its owners property it must be on a leash held by a person able to control the dog. The leash must be no longer than six (6) feet.

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The dog stays on its property but it isn’t fenced or chained.  Is that okay?
Yes, as long as the dog remains on its property it has not violated the Pound By-law.  If off its owners property it must be on a leash held by a person able to control the dog.  The leash must be no longer than six (6) feet.

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Why can’t I let my dog run without a leash?

The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20.(1) clearly states that as a dog owner you must keep your dog on a leash while off its property. The leash cannot extend longer than 6 feet and the leash must be held by a person able to control the dog.

Letting your pet run loose puts them and the community in danger. Every year hundreds of dogs and cats die in traffic accidents. Motorists may be injured trying to avoid these animals. When allowed to run at large your pet can be killed or injury by another animals, they can ingest poison or come in harms way in numerous other ways.

A large playful dog may frighten seniors and children and can cause injury by jumping up on them. Dogs and cats also create conditions for disease by ripping apart garbage and by soiling property. A stray dog or cat also puts people at risk for rabies.

Pets that run free contribute to the already explosive pet population in Winnipeg.

Owners who fail to keep their dog or cat on a leash in Winnipeg are subject to fines of $200.00.

Remember, a leash keeps your dog where it wants to be - by your side.

Restrictions as to Number of Animals Kept

How do I register a complaint regarding someone having too many animals?
To register a complaint about a residence with too many animals, call Animal Services Agency at 311.  At that time you will be asked a series of questions:

  • your name, address and phone number
  • the address of where the animals live
  • the date and time that you last saw the animal
  • a description of the animals
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How many dogs or cats can I have?
Three dogs over the age of six months and three cats over the age of six months.

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Is there a permit to have more than the legal number of animals?
Yes, an application can be made for an Excess Animal Permit. 

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What is the process for obtaining an Excess Animal Permit?

  • Visit Animal Services Agency at 1057 Logan Avenue to receive your application package.

  • The application package contains:

    • An Application for Excess Animal Permit which must be completed and returned to Animal Services Agency at 1057 Logan Avenue with the application fee of $120.00.
    • Letter of Support Form to be returned with your application.  The Letter of Support should include signatures from people in your immediate area.  It is especially helpful if your immediate neighbours (north, south, east and west) have signed the Letter of Support.
    • Copy of By-law Extract – Pound By-law 2443/79 Cats and/or Dogs

  • Animal Services Agency will forward your application to the Zoning Department on your behalf and  Zoning will contact you directly, if necessary.

  • Animal Services Agency will contact you regarding an initial inspection of your property.

  • You will be required to appear before the Community Committee in your area.  When your appearance has been scheduled, Animal Services Agency will send you a letter information you of:

    • The Community Committee meeting date and location
    • The date that the required property posters will be available at Animal Services Agency (1057 Logan Avenue) for pick-up
    • The date that the required property posters must be erected and maintained on the subject property.

As the applicant you will be responsible for the following:

  • Erected and maintained on the property in the following manner:

    • ON the subject property
    • No more than one (1) meter in from the property line
    • Facing out towards street or lane frontages in a manner that can be easily read by passersby on the sidewalk, street or lane.
    • Posters must be in conspicuous locations facing each street adjacent to the land or building referred to in the notice (on the poster).
    • Poster(s) may be attached to any surface such as walls, trees, and fences or within windows providing the above regulations are followed.
    • Poster(s) MUST NOT be attached to public utility poles; any such placement will constitute a violation of the posting requirements.
    • Poster(s) must remain up for the required fourteen (14) days prior to the public hearing, not including the posting date or the hearing date.
    • Arrange to obtain replacement posters by calling Animal Services Agency at 311 immediately if the posters have been damaged or removed due to vandalism or adverse weather conditions.

  • Failure to adhere to the above outlined posting requirements may result in a delay in the consideration of your application.

  • Attend or authorize some other person to represent you at the Community Committee public hearing at the date, time and place you are advised.

  • If you fail to appear or be represented, the application will be considered in your absence.

  • You must remove all notices from the subject property immediately after the date of the public hearing.

  • The decision of Community Committee may be appealed within 14 days of the decision.  The permit, if approved, will be issued after this time if there is no appeal. Permits are renewable yearly.  There is a $60.00 per year inspection fee at that time.

  • Your property will be inspected during the posting period to ensure posting procedures have been followed and you will be notified of any non-compliance.  This does not however, preclude your own surveillance of the property or your responsible to contact Animal Services Agency should you notice any irregularities.

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How much does an Excess Animal Permit cost?
There is an initial $122.00 non-refundable application fee.  If your permit is approved, there is an annual $60.75 inspection fee.

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Can I breed cats or dogs from my home?
If you plan to breed cats from your home, you must purchase an Intact Cat Permit for each unsterilized cat you have on your premise.  You must purchase the required permits from the City of Winnipeg, Planning, Property and Development Department - Zoning Division. 

If you plan to breed more than two and less than five litters of dogs and/or cats, you would be considered a Hobby Breeder and would require a Provincial permit.  If you plan to breed more than five litters of dogs or/cats in any one year, you would be considered a Commercial Breeding Premise and would require a Provincial permit. Contact the Province of Manitoba at 945-7662 for further information.

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Can I open a kennel from my home?
If you plan to operate a kennel where eight or more dogs and/or cats are kept, you will require permits from the City of Winnipeg, Planning, Property and Development Department – Zoning Division, as well as the necessary Provincial permits.  Contact the Province of Manitoba at 945-7662 for further information.

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There are 20 cats living in my neighbours garage.  What can be done about it?
Please call Animal Services Agency at 311 to register a complaint.

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Is a litter of kittens considered being over the limit? 
No, the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 30.(1) refers only to animals over the age of 6 months.

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My neighbours have lots of birds in their house.  Is this allowed?
The City of Winnipeg does not regulate the number of other anmal species kept except for the restrictions detailed in City of Winnipeg By-law 3383/83.

 

 

 



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