Animal Enforcement & Assistance

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 small birds) will not be picked up and should be safely bagged and set out with regular garbage for collection. A service request can be placed for pick-up of larger birds (such as seagulls) on public property.

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. Learn more about how you can reduce dog barking.

Submit a complaint

• If you have a problem with a noisy animal, consider speaking with the owner first.
• If this approach does not work, contact 311 to submit a service request.
• You will need to know the owner’s address to submit the request.
• Note: Your name or other personal information will not be shared with the animal’s owner.

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.

Note: Toronto Animal Services responds only to sick, injured or distressed wildlife and stray domestic animals. Do not report common pests such as rats or mice.

Toronto Animal Services provides assistance for animals that are visibly suffering or in danger. This includes:

• Stray domestic animals (e.g. dogs, cats, chickens) without an owner present
• Urban wildlife (e.g. raccoons, squirrels, coyotes, birds, skunks, deer, rabbits, foxes, opossums)

Safety Precautions

If the animal is mobile, please monitor it from a safe distance until staff arrive. Do not attempt to handle or approach the animal.

When to Report an Animal

You should report a stray or domestic animal if the animal appears sick, injured or distressed or has any of the following signs:

• Bleeding or broken limbs
• Hit by a vehicle and still alive
• Laboured breathing
• Neurological symptoms (e.g. seizures, unusual aggression, disorientation). For example, foxes are generally not aggressive. If they appear aggressive, such as attacking non-living objects, growling, or snarling, it may suggest neurological issues or other health concerns that require immediate attention.
• Not moving away from traffic or located on a road or expressway
• Animal is trapped or in a location that prevents it from moving

Note:

• Turtles may remain still for long periods. If a turtle appears ill or unresponsive, report it.
• If the reported wildlife or stray animal is mobile, and if possible, keep an eye on it from a safe distance until Animal Services staff arrive.

Required Information When Reporting

To help Toronto Animal Services respond effectively, please provide:

• Exact location (address or nearest intersection)
• Your name and contact number
• If the animal is on private property:
  • The property owner must be present to allow access
  • If the owner cannot remain on site, email animalservices@toronto.ca with:
    • The Service Request number in the subject line
    • A written statement authorizing staff to enter the property

What to Expect

Most service requests are completed within two hours. Response times may vary based on:

• Volume of requests
• Priority level
• Available resources