Bylaws related to dogs
Dog FAQs | Dog off-leash parks
Responsible dog ownership is an important part of maintaining a happy, healthy dog and avoiding dog-related disputes with your neighbours. Part of being a responsible dog owner is complying with Calgary’s bylaws related to dogs.
Under our Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw:
- All dogs must have and wear a City of Calgary licence as soon as they reach three months of age.
- All dogs must be on-leash at all times, unless posted signs indicate otherwise, or on property where the owner of the dog has the right of occupation.
- Dogs may not be left unattended while tethered.
- Dogs may only be transported in the back of a truck if the dog is in a fully enclosed trailer, a truck bed covered with a topper, contained in a ventilated kennel that is secured to the truck bed, or securely tethered and not standing on bare metal.
- Dog owners must ensure that they bring along a suitable means to pick up feces.
- Dog owners must pick up all feces produces by their dog both on and off their property.
- Dogs must be under control in designated off-leash areas. This means they must be in sight of their owners and respond to sight or sound commands.
As a dog owner, you must ensure your dog does not:
- Bite anyone
- Injure anyone
- Chase, threaten or attack a person or animal
- Bark or howl causing disturbance
- Cause damage to property or animals
- Scatter garbage
Dogs are not allowed in:
- School grounds
- Playgrounds
- Sports fields
- Golf courses
- Cemeteries
- Wading or swimming areas
While on a pathway, your dog must:
- Be on a leash no longer than two metres
- Remain on the right hand side of the pathway
- Not interfere with or obstruct other users
- You may not cycle, skateboard or in-line skate with a dog on a leash while on a pathway.
Filing a complaint
Dog bites, as well as other incidents involving aggressive cats and dogs, must be reported immediately to the City of Calgary.
How to file a complaint and what happens to it.
If you know of a bylaw infraction and would like to report it, please call 311 (from within Calgary) or 403-268-CITY (2489) (from outside Calgary).
Read the bylaw
Our Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw regulates dogs in our city. This document is only a summary of the bylaw, please see the original bylaw for complete information.
Original copies of the bylaw are available at the City Clerk's office.