Animal Services

There are several animal services available in the Town of Grimsby. These services keep residents, pets and wildlife safe.

Pet Regulations

In the Town of Grimsby, no more than three dogs over the age of 10 weeks can be kept on any premises unless grandfathered under the By-law. All dogs must be licensed according to our Animal Care and Control By-law, and all dogs must be leashed at all times unless they are on their own property or at a designated leash-free dog park. Whoever has control of a dog (usually the owner or dog walker) is responsible for picking up after the dog. 

Dog Licences

You are required to purchase a dog licence every year for your dog(s) as per our Animal Control By-law. The Town of Grimsby has partnered with DocuPet to provide an enhanced pet licensing experience for residents. 

Purchase Options:

Dog licences are available for purchase online, by mail, or in person.

• Online purchases, please visit the DocuPet online portal
• In person purchases, please visit Town Hall – 160 Livingston Ave.
• Mail in orders, please mail a cheque payable to DocuPet to:

                                              2 Gore Street
                                               Kingston, ON
                                                    K7L 2L1

Please include your pet's information with the form provided in your renewal letter.

Licence Fees:

The fees for 2025 are as follows:

• $34 for a new puppy/dog
• $34 for a renewal
• $80 for late renewal
• $6.30 for a replacement tag

Dog Complaints

To submit a nuisance dog complaint, please complete a Dog Complaint Form, to have the Town address your complaint. Alternatively, please call Town Hall at 905-945-9634.

Note: Anonymous complaint forms will not be accepted or processed by the Town of Grimsby.

Dangerous Dogs

If you are an owner of a dog that has attacked a person or animal without reason it may be deemed a “dangerous dog”. These steps should be taken to prevent future attacks, including:

• Muzzling
• Tethering
• Pen confinement
• Display of dangerous dog sign

Leash Free Dog Parks

The Town of Grimsby has three Leash Free Dog Parks available to residents. Owners are responsible for following all Dog Park rules shown below.

• Steve McDonnell Leash-Free Dog Park 
• Southward Park Leash-Free Dog Park 
• Oakes Road Dog Run 

To ensure a safe space for all park users, it is very important that dog owners have verbal control over their dog while in the park, and they have confidence that the dog's behaviours are well suited for a leash-free dog park.

• All dogs must have valid licence tags, up-to-date vaccinations and rabies shots
• Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Use the off-leash area at your own risk
• Leash your dog when entering and exiting the park
• Always keep your dog within sight and under your verbal control
• Clean up after your dog and do not permit your dog to dig holes
• Do not allow your dog to chase wildlife
• No puppies under 4 months, female dogs in heat, sick dogs or aggressive dogs
• Dogs required by law to be leashed and muzzled, must remain so while in the off-leash area
• Children must be always supervised by an adult
• Parents are advised this site is not suitable for young children
• Off-leash area users are subject to the Dog Owner's Liability Act 

To report any damages or concerns about the dog park, call 905-945-1288.

Humane Society of Greater Niagara

The Humane Society of Greater Niagara provides animal control services to the Town of Grimsby and can be reached directly at: 905-682-0767 or 1-800-263-2469.

When should you call:

• You see a sick or injured animal or wildlife
• You see a stray dog
• Dog bite – please also seek immediate medical attention

If you are unsure, call anyway. Humane Society of Greater Niagara will try to help direct your inquiry accordingly.

Wildlife

There is wildlife within our community and sometimes that can result in direct contact or injury. If you are in immediate danger, or if the animal is aggressive and may injure someone, call the police at 911. If human contact has been made with wildlife/animals suspected of having rabies, contact Niagara Region Public Health at 1-800-263-7248 or 905-688-3762.

We do not handle urban wildlife calls such as skunks, raccoons, bats and other local wild animals. Please call a pest control company to properly manage these animals.

Dead Animals

The Region of Niagara is responsible for issues occurring on certain roads in Grimsby.
The following streets are maintained by the Region of Niagara:

• Livingston Avenue
• Main Street (East and West)
• Christie Street
• Mountain Road
• South Service Road (Includes Clarke Street)
• Mud Street (East and West)
• Casablanca Boulevard
• Bartlett Avenue

If a dead animal is being reported on one of these streets, please contact the Niagara Region directly at   1-877-552-5579.

If a dead animal is NOT being reported on one of these streets, please contact the Humane Society of Greater Niagara directly at 905-682-0767 or 1-800-263-2469.

Coyotes

Coyote sightings are frequently reported across Niagara. When coyote sightings increase, many times these sightings are due to humans intentionally or unintentionally providing a food source. An overflowing bird feeder, mishandling of compost, and fallen fruit attract a diverse range of prey species such as rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, and insects which coyotes (and other predator species) will utilize as food. The Town of Grimsby encourages residents to stay informed about what to do if you encounter a coyote.

If a coyote is near:

• Do not approach coyotes. Avoid coyote dens, and do not interfere with pups, even if it appears the parents have abandoned them. Coyotes will do their best to avoid human contact, but may attack humans when provoked, sick or injured.
• Pick up small children and pets
• Never run from or turn your back on a coyote/domestic dog
• Wave your arms above your head
• Be BIG and LOUD! Yell "Go away!"
• Slowly back away
• Use hazing techniques such as shaking car keys, popping an umbrella, throwing an object in the direction of the coyote.
• Always be prepared and aware of your surroundings when enjoying the outdoors. Be a good visitor "leave no trace". Carry out leftover food, garbage and dog feces.
• By promoting respect, compassion and safety education throughout our community about these intelligent, adaptable keystone species, we can safely co-exist with coyotes.

Tips for co-existing with coyotes:

• Never feed coyotes. Our best defense is not to habituate them. 
• Keep pet food and water bowls indoors. Pet food will attract coyotes to your yard.
• Keep trash cans covered.
• Pick ripened fruit and clean all rotted fallen fruit off the ground.
• Do not allow a large amount of wild bird seed to remain on your lawn.
• Keep pets under strict control. 
• Keep chickens, rabbits and other small animals in covered enclosures, constructed with heavy mesh wire. Coyotes, raccoons and weasels can break through chicken coop wire.
• Teach children about wildlife and how to safely respond to coyotes (or dogs) nearby.

Seasonal behaviour that may elevate coyote sightings happening during certain times of the year.

• Winter (January – February) – mating period
• Spring (March – June) – den selection and pup rearing
• Fall – pack dispersal

For more information about Coyotes visit Coyote Watch Canada.