Report a barking dog

Dealing with a barking dog

Dogs are a wonderful part of our community, but excessive barking can disturb the peace of a neighbourhood. If a dog is barking loudly or for a long time, there are steps you can take to address the situation.

Talk to your neighbour

Often, dog owners are not aware that their pet is barking. If you feel comfortable doing so, try speaking with your neighbour directly. Many people appreciate a friendly heads-up and will take steps to calm their dog.

Report the issue

If talking to the owner does not resolve the problem, or if you prefer not to speak with them directly, you can report the barking dog to By-law Enforcement. All reports are kept confidential. We will not disclose your identity to the dog's owner.

You can report a barking dog by calling 311 from inside city limits, or 519-555-0100 from outside the city. You can also submit an online report.

What information to provide

To help our By-law Inspectors respond quickly, please have the following information ready when you call or fill out the form:

Your name and address
A primary and alternate phone number
The exact address and location of the property where the dog is located
A brief description of the issue, including how long the dog has been barking and what time of day it is happening

After you report the issue, a By-law Inspector may visit the area to assess the situation. They will speak with the dog's owner to encourage compliance with the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law 2018-063. If the problem continues, fines may be issued.

Dog rules in parks and trails

All dogs must be on a leash no longer than two metres in parks, on trails, and on sidewalks, unless you are in a designated off-leash area. This keeps your dog safe and ensures other residents can enjoy public spaces.

Wrenford has several designated off-leash areas where dogs can run free. Remember that dogs must stay in sight of their owners and respond to voice commands in these zones.