What is an off-leash area?

A number of areas have been declared as "Off-Leash Areas". They are pictured below. It is important to note, however, that these off-leash areas still require that animals be under control. "Under Control" may be determined by an Animal Control Officer using the following criteria:

• a) Whether the Dog is at such a distance from its Owner so as to be incapable of responding to voice, sound or sight commands,
• b) Whether the Dog has responded to voice, sound or sight commands from the Owner, 
• c) Whether the Dog has bitten, Attacked, or done any act that injures a person or another Animal, 
• d) Whether the Dog chased or otherwise threatened a person, and 
• e) Whether the Dog caused damage to Property;

Even in an off-leash area, an animal control officer may order that a Dog be put on a Permitted Leash, and/or Order that a Dog be removed from an Off-Leash Area. An Owner who fails to immediately to restrain a Dog on a Permitted Leash and/or remove a Dog from the Off-Leash Area upon being directed to do so by an Animal Control Officer or upon a Dog engaging in any of the following activities listed in section 20.1 is guilty of an offence. Nothing relating to off-leash areas relieves a person from complying with any other provisions of the animal control Bylaw.

No Dog Areas

The new animal control bylaw mandates that the Owner of a Dog shall ensure that such Dog does not enter or remain:

• Within five (5) meters of a Spray Park or Sports Field;
• Within five (5) meters of a Wading or Swimming Area;
• Within five (5) meters of a Play Structure
• In a Park or a Pathway which has been designated by the Town as an area where Dogs are prohibited; or
• Any other area where Dogs are prohibited by posted signs.

Dogs on Pathways

Dogs are only permitted on pathways if they are secured by a permitted leash, remain on the right hand side of the pathway (unless moving around other path users) and if they remain under the owners control. Every owner of a dog shall ensure that a dog does not sit or stand on a pathway or otherwise obstruct or interfere with path users.