Animal Enforcement & Assistance

The City inspects and investigates animal-related complaints to ensure compliance with acts, bylaws and regulations.

Call us for:

  • Emergency response to calls for stray and injured domestic animals, as well as wildlife requiring immediate medical assistance. Officers are available to provide support between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.
  • Response to safety concerns involving an animal, as well as animals jeopardizing the safety of the public, such as dogs at large. Toronto Animal Services, Animal Control Officers investigate animal related complaints within the community. Bylaw enforcement officers monitor parks and public spaces and will respond to complaints involving off-leash dogs.
  • Pick up of lost dogs for return to their owners or transporting to a shelter for safekeeping while providing the owner the opportunity to locate their pet
  • Removal of dead wildlife and domestic animals on public or private property (when owner unknown)
  • Animal noise, including excessive and persistent noise from barking dogs
  • Dangerous acts committed by dogs, such as dog bites or attacks

Find out what to do if you or your pet experiences a dog bite or attack.

The City is responsible for the removal and disposal of large dead animals on City property and assisting with disposal of dead animals found on private property.

The City works to remove dead animals as soon as possible, however the removal timelines may vary for a number of reasons including the prioritization of sick and injured animals, increased demand as animals become more active in warmer weather, and availability of Animal Care and Control Officers.

A service request for pick-up of a large dead animals (such as racoons and skunks) can be submitted online or by calling 311. Small dead animals (such as squirrels, mice, rats and birds) should be safely bagged and set out with regular garbage for collection.

Cadavers can also be brought to any Toronto Animal Services shelter for safe disposal.

Reminder to never touch a dead animal with bare hands. Always wear gloves or use a double plastic bag to handle dead animals and wash hands thoroughly after.

Toronto is a growing, vibrant city, where things like noise from barking dogs is common. Residents are encouraged to exercise a reasonable degree of tolerance before submitting an animal-related noise complaint.

Persistent or excessive noise from any animal is not permitted under the Noise By-law. This includes persistent barking, calling or whining.

Submit a complaint

  • If you have a problem with a noisy animal, consider speaking with the owner first.
  • If this approach does not work, call 311 to submit a service request.
  • You will need to know the owner’s address to submit the request.

What will happen after you submit the request

Our goal is to resolve the issue and achieve compliance with the bylaw. An Officer with Toronto Animal Services will be assigned to respond to your request. Depending on the situation, it may take up to five business days for the Officer to begin their investigation.

Step 1: The Officer will contact the animal owner to educate them about the Noise Bylaw.

Step 2: If there is a possible Noise Bylaw violation, the Officer may take further steps, such as conducting an on-site investigation, or issuing an advisory letter or Notice of Violation.

Step 3: If the issue persists, an Officer may ask you to complete a Noise Log that records the dates and times that you hear the noise. This is needed to satisfy the court by demonstrating that noise is in fact persistent and excessive.

Step 4: Based on the evidence provided in the Noise Log, Toronto Animal Services may lay a charge, which will be heard in court by a Justice of the Peace. You and any listed witnesses will be required to attend court to speak to the evidence. If you are unable to attend, the charges will be withdrawn.