By-Laws

Animal Control Services

Joint Animal Control Municipal Service Board

The Corporation of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, Township of Hamilton, Town of Cobourg and Municipality of Port Hope are partnering to provide a Joint Animal Control Services Program.

Municipal Animal Services

The Municipal Animal Services are committed to the care and well-being of all animals in its mandate. They catch lost animals and arrange for pet adoptions. If the Municipal Animal Services finds your lost pet, you will have to pay a $30 Impound Fee and a $15/night Board Fee (plus HST) to get your pet released.

The Municipal Animal Services is located at 2363 Theatre Road South (between Highway 2 and Telephone Road). You can call their office at 905-885-7808 or Dispatch at 905-885-8092.

Animal Control By-Laws

Please read the Animal Control By-Law for information about the by-laws regulating animals in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.

Dog Licences

Every dog living in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand needs a current dog tag each year. 

Dog tags for the Township of Hamilton, Township of Alnwick-Haldimand, and the Municipality of Port Hope can now be purchased online through a partnership with the Northumberland Humane Society and DocuPet, an online software platform.

The new online service will allow pet owners to purchase dog licenses from the comfort of their home, maintain a pet profile, receive access to the HomeSafe 24/7 lost pet service, upgrade to personalized designer tag styles, and receive automated renewal notices. The online pet profile allows Northumberland Humane Society staff – the animal services by-law enforcement provider for all three communities - to quickly identify dogs and reduce the amount of time a lost dog spends in the shelter. This will significantly reduce stress for the animal and families and decrease the demand on resources such as shelter space, food, medical, and bedding.

In addition, dog tags will now be valid for 365 days from date of purchase compared to the previous calendar year model, which required pet owners to purchase their tags by January 1st of each year. This gives residents more flexibility and offers better value for money. In addition, the new service will allow for easier enforcement because reports will identify when a licence hasn't been renewed and a proactive approach can be taken through education and communication.

Township of Alnwick/Haldimand Dog Licensing Fees 2023:
• Dog Licence - Spayed or Neutered $20.00
• Dog Licence - Not spayed or neutered $35.00
• Replacement Tag - $5.00

2022 dog tags will remain valid until May 31, 2023 to allow pet owners time to purchase their new tags through DocuPet.
Residents of the three municipalities can purchase their 2023 dog tags online, by mail, over the phone or in person at the Northumberland Humane Society at their Port Hope facility (371 Ward Street) during their regular business hours.

For more information, please contact:
By-Law/Fire Department at 905-352-1142

Dog Bite Procedure

Bite Victim

• Seek medical treatment—Call 911.

• Report the bite to Municipal Animal Services at 905-885-7808, By-law Enforcement Officer Daryl Hall at 905-349-2822 ext. 27 and Health Unit at 905-885-9100.

• Provide a description of the dog.

• Get the dog owner's name and address.

• Record specific information (date, time, location).

• Get witness information.

• Take photos of the bite injury.

• Write a handwritten statement with all details as soon as possible.

Owner of Dog that Bit

• Leash your dog.

• Isolate your dog from other people/animals.

• Report the bite to Municipal Animal Services at 905-885-7808, By-law Enforcement Officer Daryl Hall at 905-349-2822 ext. 27 and Health Unit at 905-885-9100.

• Write a handwritten statement with all details as soon as possible.

Backyard Hens

In the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, you can keep hens in your backyard as pets, or to provide food to your household on your residential property. You can only keep hens (no roosters), and their shelter enclosure must meet the standards of the Zoning By-Law.

Zoning By-Law Standards

• The keeping of hens shall be restricted to properties that are zoned to permit a single detached dwelling.

• The keeping of hens shall be restricted to properties that have a minimum of 0.4 hectares (one acre).

• A maximum of six (6) hens shall be permitted.

• An enclosure for keeping one or more hens:

  • Shall be located at least 3.0 metres from the side lot and at least 1.2 metres from the rear lot line of the lot on which the hen coop is located.

  • Shall be located at least 3.0 metres from abutting dwellings.

  • Must be at least 7.5 metres from any church or school.

  • Shall contain an enclosed roof structure and shall not be greater than 3.0 metres by 3.0 metres and no greater than 4.5 metres in height.

  • Shall only be located in the rear yard.

Before You Get Started

1. Review the requirements from the Zoning By-Law listed above.

2. Read about Poultry Health Management and Biosecurity.