Gatineau council

Tougher rules around potentially dangerous pets 

A resolution to toughen the regulations concerning the keeping of a potentially dangerous dog was adopted at the last municipal council meeting on May 12. Two elements are thus added to the regulations. 

First, except for properties located in agricultural zones or outside the urban perimeter, it will now be mandatory for the owner of a dog, when it is on the owner’s property, to either keep the animal inside a fenced space, tied up, in an enclosure, or contained by any other device used for a domestic animal. The goal is to avoid incidents where a dog starts chasing a pedestrian or cyclist in the street. 

Second, a dog that has bitten or attacked a person or another domestic animal, whether or not it has inflicted injuries, will be considered a dog at risk and be required to undergo an examination in order to evaluate its condition and dangerousness. If it is concluded that the dog is not potentially dangerous, the dog will be returned to its “normal” status. Otherwise, the animal will be given the status of a potentially dangerous dog. Throughout the examination of the dog considered to be at risk, and until a decision is rendered by the competent authority, the owner will be required to follow the same rules as if the dog was potentially dangerous, including maintaining the dog by means of a basket muzzle and a leash no longer than 1.25 metres when the dog is out of its enclosure, keeping the dog in the presence of a child 10 years of age or younger only if it is under the constant supervision of a person 18 years of age or older; and, not circulating in a municipal park, municipal playground, recreational pathway or dog exercise area on City of Gatineau territory.