By-Law Newsletter: Effectively Dealing With Dangerous Dogs

Effectively Dealing with Dangerous Dogs

Dogs are loving members of many of our households, and many of us treat them not only as pets but (particularly hairy) family members. The special relationship we have with our dogs makes dog attacks, where one dog attacks either another dog, animal, or human, particularly upsetting.

Municipalities have the unfortunate position of having the responsibility to deal with the fallout of dog attacks. In particular, municipalities have the ability to bring an application under the Dangerous Dogs Act, RSA 2000, c D-3, seeking a court order requiring that a dog be humanely euthanized, or that the owner of the dog comply with certain directions as to how they keep and care for the dog. Municipalities also have the jurisdiction to pass animal control bylaws, which can grant a municipality the right to declare a dog "dangerous" and to issue an order to an owner requiring a dog to be humanely euthanized or kept in a certain way to