Animal Services

Livestock Claims

Ontario wildlife damage compensation program

Livestock owners that experience damages (injury or death) to their livestock from wildlife may be eligible for compensation for the value of the livestock under the Provincial Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

cows

Damage caused by dogs

Damage caused by dogs is not part of this program. Livestock owners are encouraged to read the Protection of Livestock and Poultry from Dogs Act for more information.

When a livestock owner experiences damages to their livestock, and wants to claim compensation for the damages, they must contact the Town at 519-534-1400, ext. 120 or ext. 122 within 48 hours of discovering the injury or death.

The Ontario Wildlife Damage and Compensation Program Provincial Guidelines specifically state that the municipality must be contacted first. Please do not contact livestock investigators directly. Town staff will contact a livestock investigator to contact the livestock owner and visit the damage site.

The Ontario Wildlife Damage and Compensation Program Provincial Guidelines state that the livestock investigator will make a complete investigation within seventy-two (72) hours of being notified.

When the livestock investigator attends the property they will take pictures and assess the site and livestock.

The livestock investigator will complete a compensation application form within seven (7) business days after conducting the inspection. There are sections of the application which must be completed by the livestock owner. Be sure to work with the livestock investigator to ensure the owner portions of the application are completed.

A copy of the application will be provided to the Town, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Livestock Owner.

To be eligible you must have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBR) and have a Premises Identification Number. Contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for more information.

The Ontario Wildlife Damage and Compensation Program Provincial Guidelines stipulates that you are not to remove a carcass from the site where it was discovered until the livestock investigator has attended the property to assess the loss. The Province has denied claims if they feel that the farmer has not taken all necessary precautions to secure the site.

Livestock owners are encouraged to take pictures of any damaged/injured/killed livestock and the secured site when it is discovered and to provide the pictures to the livestock investigator and/or to the Town. The compensation application form has a section for the livestock owner to sign and indicate if the owner will be providing additional evidence. Be sure to complete this section of the application.

If an owner has submitted ten (10) applications under the program within one (1) calendar year and intends to submit a subsequent application, the Ministry will require the completion and submission of a reasonable care plan.

There are limits to the amount of compensation that can be claimed and the types of livestock and types of wildlife that cause the damages. This is set by the Province. Livestock owners are encouraged to read the Ontario Wildlife Damage and Compensation Program Provincial Guidelines provided by the Province under this program.

The Town submits the completed application form to the Ministry. The Ministry decides the compensation which will be given. The owner will be notified within thirty (30) business days of submission of a complete application.

The livestock owner will only be compensated once the claim is approved by the Ministry and all appeal periods have expired.

Appeals can be lodged by the livestock owner within twenty (20) business days of the date on the notification letter. Livestock owners are encouraged to read the Ministry guidelines to understand the appeal process and responsibilities of each party in an appeal.