Bylaw Bulletin: Dog Control

As a rural municipality, dogs at large are a concern throughout the County of St. Paul. Many residents have dogs as companions, guardians for livestock, and to help protect their home and property. However, dogs at large can pose risks to residents, livestock, and other dogs, including property damage and injury.

For everyone’s protection, the County has a Dog Control Bylaw which clearly defines offences related to dog ownership.

What is a dog at large?

Our Dog Control Bylaw defines a dog at large as a dog not under the control of a person (e.g. by leash or harness) and is on another person’s property or a public space. These spaces range from a highway to a trail to a park. Dog owners in the County of St. Paul are responsible for ensuring that their dogs remain on their property and do not permit their dog(s) to roam at large on neighbouring and public lands.

Section 3.0 of the Dog Control Bylaw specifies that an at-large dog is an offence. Out of all County infractions, Dogs at Large is one of the biggest culprits. Unfortunately, the County has also experienced instances of dogs that threaten and attack persons – another offence, which puts more than one party at risk.

We encourage all residents to review Section 3.0 of the Dog Control Bylaw to understand the possible offences and help us to mitigate them.

Help your dog stay home

Here are some tips that we can offer to help your dogs stay home on your property and to avoid any dog control offences:

• Spay and neuter your dogs. Dogs are less likely to wander if they’re not looking for a mate. Spaying and neutering also helps with population control, resulting in fewer strays in the area wandering at large.
• Fence your yard. Review the County’s Land Use Bylaw on fencing requirements in the County and submit a development permit to our Planning & Development department. Building a dog run is also an option.
• Work on boundary training. Use existing “lines” on your property, such as trees, the end of a driveway, and livestock fences, to help your dog understand what boundaries to stay in.
• Secure your dog overnight or if you’re not home. Keep your dogs in your home, in your garage or shop, or leashed in the yard near a sheltered space to ensure they stay home when no eyes are on them.

Do you have a dog control complaint?

If you have concerns about a dog at large, dog threat or attack, or other dog control offence, please pick up or print out our Bylaw Complaint Form. Completed forms can be brought in person, mailed to, or put in the drop box at the County Administration Office at 5015 49 Avenue, St. Paul AB, T0A 3A4.

Bylaw Bulletin is a monthly feature for one of the County’s bylaws, helping residents to understand the bylaws we do have and how to avoid being penalized for any bylaw offences unknowingly.