We're renting a unit, in a home, where a raccoon has ripped up the roof (damage caused) and taken residence in the garage attic. Now, I'd like to help the landlady deal with the pest, especially since my fiance is afraid of using the patio and also because they are damaging the garage roof. The landlady's nice, so I'd like to help her out with some good info. Based on the following link, it looks like the landlady is allowed to kill the animal:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/harass-capture-or-kill-wild-animal-damaging-private-property
The problem comes from other legislation. In Toronto, you get a $5000 fine if you discharge a 'firearm' (which includes crossbows), so that method of humane dispatch is impossible. Relocating the coon does nothing. Spearing/drowning are not allowed and kill traps may trap some neighbour's cat, so neither of those options would work. I was thinking of garbage bag and CO2 fire extinguisher, once caught in a live trap (she owns one). Would that be permitted, or would it run afoul of animal cruelty laws? I know they routinely do it to lab animals. Thanks for any tips you guys can give me.
P.S. Please note that this is a Toronto suburb, in the day and age of nosy hipsters and smartphones, so I wanna do everything by the book.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/harass-capture-or-kill-wild-animal-damaging-private-property
The law
You don’t need a permit to scare away, capture or kill most wild animals, if the animal is causing damage to your property.
You do need to follow certain rules.
Special rules apply to:
endangered/threatened species
moose
white-tailed deer
American elk
black bear (capturing)
You can also use someone else to remove the animal for you, if they meet certain criteria. This person is considered a “wildlife agent”.
Source law
This is a summary of the provincial laws. You can find a complete set of rules related to this activity in:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997
Ontario Regulation 665/98 (hunting)
The problem comes from other legislation. In Toronto, you get a $5000 fine if you discharge a 'firearm' (which includes crossbows), so that method of humane dispatch is impossible. Relocating the coon does nothing. Spearing/drowning are not allowed and kill traps may trap some neighbour's cat, so neither of those options would work. I was thinking of garbage bag and CO2 fire extinguisher, once caught in a live trap (she owns one). Would that be permitted, or would it run afoul of animal cruelty laws? I know they routinely do it to lab animals. Thanks for any tips you guys can give me.
P.S. Please note that this is a Toronto suburb, in the day and age of nosy hipsters and smartphones, so I wanna do everything by the book.