Keep dogs on leash and pick up pet waste, fines apply
Township of King, Ont. — Having a pet as part of your family is rewarding, but it comes with many responsibilities – including keeping them on a leash and cleaning up after them when you are out for a walk. It’s the responsibility of every pet owner to keep their pet (and neighbours) safe by abiding by the rules found in King Township’s Animal Control Bylaw #2016-85. Violations are subject to fines.
Here are some tips on how to be a responsible pet owner:
Keep your dog on a leash
Leashing is the neighbourly thing to do to and it also helps keep your pets safe in the event you encounter urban wildlife on your walk – including coyotes. King Township’s Animal Control Bylaw #2016-85, section 4.9, mandates all dogs must always be under full control by being leashed and lead by leash when not on their owner’s property, unless visiting a designated off-leash dog park. The fine for having a dog off leash anywhere outside of an off-leash dog park is $360. The Township’s two off-leash dog areas are secured, fenced-in spaces where dogs and their families can get exercise outdoors, socialize and roam free safely, and are separated from playgrounds and other park facilities. The off-leash dog parks are located at the southwest corner of King Road and Keele Street (at the end of Hogan Court) in King City and at Tasca Park located at 49 Park Heights Trail in Nobleton. For more information on designated off-leash dog parks, visit king.ca/parks.
Stoop and scoop: pick up after your pets
Stooping and scooping dog waste is an easy way to keep King Township clean and ensures a pleasant experience for everyone on footpaths and in parks. It’s also the law. King Township’s Animal Control Bylaw #2016-85, section 4.12, mandates that individuals must collect their pets' waste. As part of an ongoing partnership with Vaughan Animal Services, officers routinely patrol King’s parks, municipal roadways and sidewalks for animal control issues, including those relating to stoop and scoop offences. The fine for not picking up after your pet is $200.
King Township provides dog waste bags at select locations including Cold Creek Conservation Area, some locations on the municipality’s 100 kilometres of trails and dog parks. To ensure easy access, attach doggy bags to your pet's lead or use a collar-clipped doggy bag holder. The bags then need to be disposed either in a green bin at home or a garbage bin when out in the community.
To report pet waste on public property, contact Service King at 905-833-5321 or serviceking@king.ca. For more information on how to properly dispose of pet waste, visit king.ca/pets.
Get your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies
Having your pet microchipped helps to easily identify and safely reunite you with them if they are lost. Getting your pet vaccinated against rabies helps with medical follow-ups for people or animals potentially exposed to infected animals and supplements and manages the costs of sheltering animals and providing education, outreach and compliance measures.
Book an appointment to bring your pets to a microchip and rabies clinic at the Vaughan Animal Shelter (located at 70 Tigi Crt., Unit 47) on Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the City of Vaughan at 905-832-2281 to schedule your timeslot. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
The following services will be available at the clinic:
- Microchip implant and registration ($25 per pet plus tax)
- A rabies vaccine, certificate and tag ($20 per pet plus tax)
For more information on animal services in King—including the partnership with Vaughan Animal Services—visit king.ca/animalresources.
For regular updates on Township programs and events, follow the official corporate social media channels on X, Facebook and Instagram or visit king.ca.
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Media Contact
Township of King
Andrea Gyarmati, Manager of Communications and Public Engagement
Township of King | Phone: 905-833-5321 | Email: media@king.ca
