Animals and Insects

Did you know that the City of Dorval has thousands of workers on its territory? We're talking, of course, about the many bees that live in the hives installed by the municipality at the following locations:

1. Two hives at the Westwood Sports Centre (750 Thorncrest Avenue)
2. Two hives on the roof of the Dorval Library (1401 chemin du Bord-du-Lac—Lakeshore)

By the end of the growing season, the bees produce honey thanks to the flowers and gardens in the area. This honey is extracted separately so that the City can create its own personalized honey jars, with the unique taste of Dorval’s flowers.

The beehives are maintained by an experienced beekeeper, who helps them remain healthy, while the bees help to green the area around the hive.

We are very proud of the hard work these thousands of bees are doing for the environment.

Cat owners are subject to certain provisions concerning their pets, which can be summarized as follows:

• The obligation to register any cat four months of age and older
• The obligation to make them wear an identification tag at all times
• The obligation to produce certificates of vaccination and of sterilization, if such is the case
• The obligation to renew the license every three years

Registration

The City now offers an online pet licensing service allowing pet owners to register their animal and renew their annual registration certificate from home.

Learn more and access the online platform

Cats must be microchipped, sterilized, and have their rabies vaccine up-to-date, failing which their registration on the platform will not be completed and cat owners could receive a fine.

For pet owners who do not have Internet access, cat licences are on sale at the front desk of City Hall. Please note that the remplacement cost for a lost license is $2.

Stray Cats

In addition to the adoption of these measures, the City of Dorval has implemented the Trap-Neuter-Release-and-Maintain (TNRM) program for feral cats recommended by the SPCA. A  service agreement has been signed with the company Contrôle animal Vaudreuil-Soulanges to assist in the implementation of this program and the enforcement of the By-law concerning animal control.

The presence of feral cat colonies on the Dorval territory required the adoption of these measures for the health, safety, and well-being of our citizens. The measures are intended to distinguish pet cats from those living in colonies and to gradually reduce, through attrition and in a humane manner, the overpopulation of feral cats on the territory. Captured cats will be vaccinated, dewormed, and neutered so that they can be put up for adoption or be returned to their environment, thus preventing the arrival of other feral cats on the territory. Cats that show active signs of ill health or of aggression will be euthanized by injection, after evaluation by a certified veterinarian.

For more information about the new regulations or to report a feral cat, contact Public Works at 514 633-4046.

Consult the by-law concerning applicable rates for cats (Appendix H) Consult the integral version of the by-law concerning animal control

A dog owner must:

• ensure that the dog wears his tag
• keep the dog on his property
• keep the dog on a leash (maximum length: 7 feet) at all times when
• outside an enclosed area
• immediately pick up dog droppings and dispose of them in a sanitary manner (note that it is prohibited - and disrespectful! - to dispose of feces into the sewers or into waste bins (household, organic, and recycling) of houses you pass by during your walk)
• ensure that the dog does not disturb the peace (barking), or damage the property of others

An owner of a so-called “guard dog” must post, in plain view, a pictogram at the main entrances to his residence and yard, reporting the presence of a “guard dog”, which is any dog trained as a guard dog or to protect property through aggressive behaviour.

Registration

The City now offers an online pet licensing service allowing pet owners to register their animal and renew their annual registration certificate from home.

Learn more and access the online platform

Owners who do not have Internet access must obtain an identification tag from City Hall. At the time of registration, the owner must provide proof of vaccination against rabies.

Dogs must be microchipped, sterilized, and have their rabies vaccine up-to-date, failing which their registration on the platform will not be completed and dog owners could receive a fine.

If you have lost your dog without identification, Contrôle Animal Vaudreuil-Soulanges, the company that takes care of stray animals in Dorval, can be reached at 450 510-1508.

Dog runs

Dogs are welcome in the fenced dog runs located at Bourke Park (on Bourke Avenue, alongside Highway 20) and in the park behind the École secondaire Dorval-Jean-XXIII, where they can run free and play to their hearts’ content, in pleasant and safe surroundings. Here are a few basic rules of etiquette relating to the use and care of these parks:

• Dogs must be on a leash before entering and when leaving the dog run.
• Dog owners must keep their pets under control at all times. Pets must never be left unattended.
• Dog owners must ensure that their animal’s waste is picked up and disposed of in the on-site containers.
• For the sake of all concerned, all park users should refrain from making unnecessary noises (such as shouting or whistling for their pets), especially in the early morning and late evening.
• Dorval’s dog runs are for the exclusive use of Dorval residents.

Because the dog runs are located near residential areas, special consideration must be given to ensure that surrounding neighbours are not inconvenienced by users of the facilities.

Consult the by-law concerning applicable rates for dogs (Appendix H) Consult the integral version of the by-law concerning animal control

What is an emerald ash borer?

This metallic green-coloured insect accidentally entered North America from Asia. Its larva attacks and kills all native species of ash trees. Since 2002, it has killed millions of ash trees in Canada and in the United States.

What is an ash tree?

Ash trees are usually quite tall and can reach a height that ranges between 15 and 20 meters. They have compound leaves, which can turn from green to yellow in fall, with 5 to 11 leaflets (depending on the species of ash). These leaflets are moderately toothed and may be stalked or sessile. The ash tree also has an opposite branching pattern and can sometimes produce small greenish fruits called samaras.

What to know about the emerald ash borer

1. How to detect the emerald ash borer? What are the signs, symptoms, and damages?
2. How does the Financial Assistance Program for the treatment and cutting down of Ash Trees in Dorval work?
3. By-law RCM-55-2015 concerning the fight against the propagation of the emerald ash borer

More information on the cutting down of trees

How to Detect the Emerald Ash Borer? What Are the Signs, Symptoms, and Damages?

Unfortunately, the presence of the emerald ash borer can sometimes be very difficult to detect. More so, often times, when signs of the emerald ash borer start showing and symptoms of infestation are visible, the tree is usually already heavily infested and can rarely be salvaged.

Here are some signs of a potential infestation:

• S-shaped tunnels under the bark (which are larval feeding galleries typically serpentine)
• Small D-shaped emergence holes
• Evidence of adult feeding on leaves
• Premature yellowing of the leaves
• Dying branches
• Thinning crown and reduced foliage density and deformed bark areas (or vertical cracks on the trunk)
• Shoots growing from the trunk
• Increased woodpecker activity

If a tree located on City property is infested by a swarm of wasps or bees, caterpillars, spiders or worms, please notify the Public Works Department. To solve a similar problem on your property, you must contact a contractor specialized in extermination and fumigation.

Consult the integral version of the by-law concerning pesticide use

The use of pesticides outside buildings is prohibited.

Exceptions

Prohibited products may be used in certain exceptional situations, all of which are out-lined in the by-law:

1. if it's a biopesticide accepted by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) or if they are ingredients mentionned in the document "Low-impact pesticides", except if they are enriched by another active pest-controlled ingredient.
2. in pools and decorative ponds or self-contained artificial basins.
3. for an infestation, but only with a permit and after ecological alternatives have been exhausted.
4. within a radius of 5 m of warehouses and food manufacturing companies to ensure vermin control, but only with a permit.
5. in case of use of insect repellent and rat poison to eliminate mice and smal rodents.
6. in case of use of insecticide collars for animals.

Anyone wishing to use pesticides to control an infestation, vermin, spiders, or ants must first obtain a permit.

Permits

It costs $10 for an individual and $25 for a corporation to purchase a permit from the municipality. Such a permit is valid for a maximum of 10 days from the date of issue and comes with a number of strict conditions.

Any person who contravenes this by-law is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine.

Useful Links

1. Low-impact Pesticides (authorized products)
   Montréal Botanical Garden
2. Information tool on the risks of pesticide for the health and the envionment (in French)

Consult the integral version of the by-law concerning pesticide use

Observe the gracious flight of the Purple Martins from the end of April to mid-August.

You will find a magnificent lighthouse containing 108 condos to welcome these birds. Since it’s inauguration in 2001, hundreds of Purple Martins have seen the day at Valois Park. They ecologically eliminate the insects that border the lake. Don’t forget that these birds eat their weight in insects every day!

Because of legislation protecting wildlife, wild animals found on or in private properties are no longer captured and relocated. Rather, as part of their contract with the City, animal control agents play an educational role in asking homeowners to take prevention measures, such as ensuring that food is never left outside, that holes allowing animals to nest under a balcony, a shed, or a patio are sealed, that roof, stove, bathroom, chimney vents, and soffit intersections are welled screened or sealed n order to create obstacles for animals seeking shelter in attics. These measures tend to discourage potential boarders: if they cannot find shelter or food in the immediate area, they will move on.

If a nest is found under a patio or balcony, the following tip can help dislodge the unwanted animal: place a cloth, dipped in ammonia and attached to a stick, deep into the den and repeat this procedure every day for 7 to 10 days. The strong odour will chase away the unwanted guest and you can then block access to the den. For racoons, it is recommended to install bright lights and to turn on a radio. These animals come out at night and will shy away from light and noise. Block all accesses following their departure. For animals that chew on trees and shrubs, it is recommended to use a thyram-based fungicide spray. This product does not affect the wood, but its bad taste will keep squirrels, ground hogs, etc. at bay.

For other advice on how to get rid of harmful small animals, visit the webiste of the ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.

For public sanitary purposes, you should never feed pigeons, gulls, and seagulls. As for other wild birds, feeding them on your private property is allowed. The animal control by-law forbids the feeding of stray cats and quadrupeds belonging to the urban fauna.

Contrôle Animal Vaudreuil-Soulanges, the company that takes care of stray animals in Dorval, can be reached at 450 510-1508 to:

• Report having found or captured an animal
• Report an injured or dead cat, dog, or any other animal on a private property (pickup with fees)

For any report concerning an injured or dead cat, dog, or any other animal on the road, please contact Public Works at 514 633-4046.

Consult the integral version of the by-law concerning animal control*

*Section on wild animals at point 23