NEWS RELEASE WELLINGTON COUNTY OPP
(CENTRE WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP, ON) – Charges have been laid following dog attack in Fergus.
On October 18, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), responded to a report of an unleashed dog attack against a victim and their dog, while they were walking through a wooden area on Gauley Drive in Fergus.
The victim attended local hospital for assessment. Both owner and dog sustained minor injuries.
As a result of the investigation, a 34-year-old from Fergus, was charged under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act with:
- Owner of Dog – Fail to prevent dog from biting, attacking a person or domestic animal (two counts)
- Owner of Dog – Fail to restrain dog by leash and muzzle – Automatic restraint order
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph at a later date.
The Wellington County OPP would like to take this opportunity to remind all dog owners to be familiar with the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. Under this act, the owner of a dog shall exercise reasonable precautions to prevent it from biting or attacking a person or domestic animal; or from behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of the public. Further, the owner of a dog could be liable if the dog bites or attacks another person or domestic animal. Please ensure that you are able to maintain control of your dog at all times in order to prevent any potential injuries to others or to the dog itself.
