Dog Control

The East Hants Dog Bylaw (P-100) regulates dog registration, as well as dangerous, roaming, and noisy dogs.

The Dog Bylaw is administered by the Planning & Development Department.

Dog Registration	Filing a Complaint	After Hours Service	Lost Dogs

Dog Registration

The Municipality requires that your dog be licensed by January 31st, every year. New dog owners must register within 10 days of receiving your dog. An official dog tag will be provided and must be on the dog at all times. If your dog goes missing, registration ensures dog control staff can contact you in a timely manner and quickly return your pet to you if he or she gets loose or lost.

Annual Registration Fee: 

• Dog Tag: $12

Registration Options:

• The Municipality of East Hants Office located at 15 Commerce Court, Elmsdale
• Elmsdale Animal Hospital located at 654 Highway 2, Elmsdale
• Crazy Dog Dehydrated Treats located at 75 Richard John Drive, Mount Uniacke
• East Hants Animal Hospital located at 202 Highway 214, Elmsdale
• NS SPCA Dartmouth Shelter, 5 Scarfe Court, Dartmouth
• NS SPCA Colchester Shelter, 408 Industrial Avenue, Truro
• Mail your form and payment to: Box 230, Suite 170, 15 Commerce Court, Elmsdale, NS B2S 3K5

Exemptions:

• Owners of Kennel License in East Hants.
• Service dog.

Please Note: If a dog is found without a tag and we are unable to locate the owner, the dog is kept in the Municipality’s kennel for three days. If, after three days, the owner is not found, the dog is given to the local SPCA for adoption.

Filing a Complaint

For complaints about dangerous, roaming, and/or noisy dogs, contact the NS SPCA via:

• Online Dog Bylaw Complaint Form
• Telephone: 902-893-7968
• Email: animals@spcans.ca
• A complaint form can also be completed in person at the Municipal Office, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Make a Complaint

When filing a complaint, please include as much detail as possible including:

1. The nature of the complaint
2. Civic address of the dog owner (if known)
3. Date(s) and time(s) of the alleged infraction(s)
4. Name and contact information of the complainant
5. Dog Barking Complaint Log when required

Contact information for complaints and concerns that fall outside of the jurisdiction of the Municipality: 

After Hours Service

Dog Control is available after regular business hours; call 902-893-7968.

Calls are answered by an answering service:

• Monday to Friday from 4:30 pm to midnight
• Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 6:00 am to midnight

After-hours response occurs ONLY for the following:

• Caller is holding a stray/roaming dog for pick up with no tag or caller is holding a dog wearing municipal dog tag;
• Call is to report an injured dog (i.e. hit by a car);
• Caller has an emergency where a person has been badly bitten by a dog;
• If RCMP call requesting assistance for dog related issues.

All other calls outside of these parameters are taken by an answering service and will be responded to on the next business day during regular business hours, as they are not considered an emergency.

All calls for Dog Control will be asked to provide the following information to the operator:

1. Complete name and civic address of the caller
2. Complete phone number
3. Pertinent details of complaint (lost or found dog, barking dog, features of offending dog, appearance, collar, municipal tag)

Please Note: General calls (dogs running at large, excessive barking, dog off property, deceased dogs) will be documented by answering service operator and given to the SPCA on the next business day.

Lost Dogs

If your dog is lost, the following resources may be helpful for locating and reuniting with your pet:

• Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network
• Kijiji (Pets, Lost & Found)
• Municipal Bylaw Enforcement & Dog Control Officer
• Local Animal Shelters
• Local Animal Hospitals
• Facebook