Owen Sound Animal Control Investigated 'Dog at Large' 54 Times in 2023

Owen Sound Animal Shelter fielded 3,668 calls, emails, and complaints last year

Photo by Joe Caione on Unsplash

According to Owen Sound bylaw 2011-156 sec.5.1, “no person shall allow a dog to be at large within the City limits.”

Yet we see posts often on local social media complaining of dogs running off-leash – and owners refusing to leash them, even when asked.

The problem is larger than the odd anecdote shared on Facebook, and now we have an idea of just how much.

Staci Landry, Deputy Clerk for the City of Owen Sound, has submitted a report titled ‘Animal Control 2023 Year in Review’ to the Corporate Services Committee ahead of its Thursday, April 11, meeting.

In it, Landry reports that the private contractor who provides animal control services for the City of Owen Sound completed 54 investigations into ‘dog at large’ complaints in 2023.

Todd and Renee Robins have been providing animal control services to the City since 1999. Their contract with City includes the provision of shelter services, by-law enforcement, and public education.