HI Rob, Welcome to the board
I live in Oshawa, it's a nice city, but there are some areas that aren't so nice and should be avioded (expecially if purchasing a home, don't let those really low prices fool you)
We have a huge beautiful off lease park,
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/W...og_Park_Oshawa
There are leash laws but many allow their dog loose in most parks around the city without a problem as long as you have control of your dog, and your dog is well behaved.
And no, there is no "shooting" of anything within city limits.
Here are the pet by-laws of our city
http://www.city.oshawa.on.ca/documen...Owner11-96.pdf
ANd here's a bit more info about Oshawa.
http://www.oshawa.ca/