Report a dog bite

Reporting a dog bite to the City of Mississauga is not mandatory. However, it is required if you want the City to investigate the incident to determine the correct course of action.

It’s also strongly recommended that all dog bites are reported to Peel Public Health.

Submit a report to the City

To report a dog bite to a person or pet, call Mississauga Animal Services around-the-clock reporting line at 311.

Tell the operator the following information:

• Your full name, address, phone number and email address
• Brief description of the incident including the date, time and location
• Information about the dog or dog owner (if known)
• Description of any injuries and if the bite or scratch broke skin (take photographs to document injuries)
• Confirm if medical or veterinary attention was needed
• Confirm if the incident was reported to Peel Public Health

Complete a witness statement

As part of the Mississauga Animal Services investigation, an assigned officer will contact you and request a witness statement. They will give you a deadline, usually 14 days, for submitting your statement and any evidence.

Your statement should only include information related to this matter:

• Exact location of where the incident occurred
• Date and time of incident
• Description of the dog and owner
• Detailed description of the incident in your own words
• Description of any injuries that were sustained by an individual or a pet

Your witness statement may be used as evidence in court to establish a case. If anyone else saw the incident, they may be contacted and asked to complete a witness statement too.

If you are unable to provide a statement through email, an alternative method can be discussed with the officer.

What happens next

A full review of the evidence will be completed by the assigned officer.

The officer will determine the appropriate course of action, including if charges are laid under the municipal by-law or Ontario Dog Owner’s Liability Act. If the investigation leads to a charge, witnesses will be summoned to court.

Mississauga Animal Services does not lay civil charges or apply for financial compensation on the victim’s behalf.