Livestock Guarding Dogs and the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act

Livestock Guardian Dogs under the PAWS Act

At this time, LGDs are recognized in the Act through the ‘standards of care for dogs kept outdoors’. These standards allow for dogs to live outside provided they have sufficient protection from the elements and shade.

The PAWS Act does not currently recognize LGDs and other working dogs as integral to the health and safety of flocks in areas with high predator pressure. This means sheep farms are subject to municipal dog bylaws that restrict the number of dogs allowed on a premises and cost producers up to thousands of dollars annually for licenses and kennel requirements.

Since LGDs are required to ensure the health and welfare of sheep in areas with strong predation, and border collies and other working stock dogs are required to safely move sheep, OSF is recommending that the next iteration of the PAWS Act expand their welfare regulations for dogs to include a provision to allow the number of working dogs on a farm required to keep the flock safe from predators and safely move the flock without the requirement of a kennel license and the expense of building a kennel.

Review of the PAWS Act

Ontario farmers and agricultural organizations are committed to farm animal welfare. We firmly believe in and advocate for the human treatment of all animals, including livestock, poultry, pets, working animals, and wildlife. The health, welfare, safety, and comfort of animals remain a top priority for Ontario’s farming sector, reflecting their ongoing dedication to responsible animal stewardship.

Livestock groups are requesting a formal review of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, 2019. Since it came into effect on January 1, 2020, this legislation has played a significant role in safeguarding animal welfare in Ontario. During the consultation phase leading to the introduction of the PAWS Act, many of our organizations recommended a formal review of the legislation after three to five years to assess its functionality, and ensure it aligns with its intended purpose. Given the elapsed time since its enactment and the practical experience gained through actual animal welfare cases, we firmly believe a review of the PAWS Act is timely and warranted.