Community Reminder on Dog Control By-Law

Community Reminder

As per By-Law No. 2021-1 a By-Law Respecting the Control of Dogs.

Dogs are NO LONGER allowed to roam freely within the limits of Fort William First Nation. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dog is always properly restrained. Please remember that there are no areas for off-leash activities in FWFN, so even dogs being walked without a leash may be subject to impoundment by FWFN Animal Control.

The fees for reclaiming dogs impounded by FWFN Animal Control will vary from $175 to $345, depending on the duration of the impoundment. These fees must be paid to FWFN during business hours before the dog can be released. The charges cover the costs associated with capturing, transporting, and caring for the dog while it is in our custody. Additionally, it is the owner’s responsibility to retrieve their dog from our office once the fees have been settled. If a dog is abandoned, further fees may be imposed on the owner, potentially exceeding $1,000. These charges assist with the expenses involved in rehoming the dog.

There will be community information/registration sessions at the community center on February 21st and 28th, 2025 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

At which time members can register their dog(s) in person. We will also make an online registration portal available once we finalize the software. As well as accept emails at animalcontrol@fwfn.com and/or phone registration at 807-623-9543 Ext. 299 after February 28th, 2025.

Please provide the following information: your name, address, phone number, your pet’s name, date of birth, gender, spay/neuter status, breed description, dominant color, secondary color, and tertiary color (if applicable), as well as tattoo number and location (if applicable). Once your registration is complete, a tag will be created for your dog(s) and sent to your address shortly thereafter.

The registration of dogs is mandated by the By-Law. This process helps us reunite owners with their pets if they happen to get loose. However, if an unregistered or untagged dog is found roaming, it will be impounded without attempting to contact its owner. Since we are unable to provide care for the dogs on-site, it is crucial to register your dog(s) and ensure that the tag is attached to their collar at all times.

We are currently working on acquiring all the essential equipment, personnel, and training needed to fully enforce the Dog Control By-Law. Once this is finalized, we will announce a date for when all free-roaming dogs will be captured and impounded. However, if we come across dogs that are running loose and causing disturbances to community members, we may take action before the official date.