ANIMAL CONTROL Andrea Anderson - Pager #613-364-7069     Travelling Paws Pound - 613-257-5270          LAWS - 613-283-9308 Andrea's pager is numeric so after the beep type your phone number in instead of talking.

DOG TAGS If you don't have a dog tag please pick one up at the Township Office - $15.00 for a dog tag and $30.00 for a kennel renewal license.  Replacement tags are $2.00.  A dog tag is for the calendar year (January to December) only for each year, not from date of purchase.

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES HOW TO PREVENT NUISANCE BEAR PROBLEMS Most nuisance bear problems occur as a result of improperly household garbage. HELPFUL HINTS TO PREVENT NUISANCE BEAR PROBLEMS Use electric fencing to protect valuable trees, orchards, beehives, vegetables and berry patches. Pick all ripe fruit off trees and remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground Fill bird feeders in late fall and empty them after mid-April. Clean barbecues after use by burning grease off the grills and wiping any spills. Wash garbage containers frequently. Rinse containers before disposal and recycling. Do not put meat, fish or sweet food in composter. Do not leave pet food outdoors at night. Keep meat scraps in your freezer until collection day. Put garbage out for pick-up on the morning of collection day. If possible, store garbage in steel bear-proof containers. If not, place trash in airtight containers     someplace inaccessible to bears. BEAR FACTS Black bears are found throughout the forested regions of Ontario. Their diet consists mostly of berries, nuts, roots and insects. Black bears are highly intelligent. They quickly learn where food sources can be found and seek these out. After only one visit, bears can learn to associate human residences and campsites with readily available food. The majority of problems occur as a result of improperly stored household garbage but bears are also attracted to composters, bird feeders, fruit trees, barbecues, pet food, bee hives and gardens. Bears will lose their natural fear of humans through repeated exposure in their search for food that people eat and may become nuisance bears. Black bears are naturally timid and will avoid encounters with humans. However, it is not uncommon to see bears feeding on berry crops or other natural food. Just because you see a bear does not mean it is a nuisance bear. In an immediate emergency call your local police or 911. To report bear problems call: 1-866-514-2327 (1-866-514-BEAR). For more information about black bears, contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources officer or visit: www.bears.mnr.gov.on.ca

COYOTE CAUTIONS As humans expand their living areas and coyotes expand their range, contact between humans and these animals is inevitable. It is important for residents of Beckwith Township to understand that coyotes do inhabit many parts of the township.  It is not uncommon to witness coyotes traveling through our rural woods and fields and sometimes, they even make their way into our subdivisions.  Many residents have heard coyotes yelping and howling at night. Generally, coyotes go out of their way to avoid humans, but they are quickly discovering that humans can provide them with a good source of food.  Resourceful and adaptable as coyotes are, they will take advantage of this fact when they can. The most serious problem is that coyotes may become used to people.  As they lose their fear of people, they may become bolder in approaching people.  If regularly fed by people, coyotes may become dependent upon people as a source of food.  It is important to note these animals can become very aggressive.  Although it may be easy to assume coyotes are "just like dogs", they are most certainly not.  They are wild, smart and learn very quickly.  They are not to be messed with. Steps can be taken to limit visits from coyotes.  Make sure your garbage can lids are closed tightly and do not leave any kind of food, including pet food, outdoors.  If you see a coyote, inform your neighbours and try to encourage them to take preventative steps as well. If you are bitten by a wild coyote, attend the nearest hospital to have the wound looked at and treated.  Rabies shots will be necessary. While we must learn to coexist peacefully with the nature that surrounds us, we must also take steps to prevent wild animals from getting too used to our company.