New pet bylaw in effect Tuesday ups requirements for vicious dogs, feral cats

The City of Edmonton's updated pet bylaw adds stricter regulations and fines for dog attacks, and aims to manage the feral cat population.

The city’s updated pet bylaw has gone into force.

Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Bylaw, passed by city council last summer, adds stricter regulations and fines for dog attacks, and aims to manage the feral cat population.

It’s the first time in 20 years it’s been updated.

Under the revamped bylaw, which went into effect on Tuesday, owners of vicious dogs are required to hang a sign warning others of their presence and must put their pets through mandatory behavior training. A dog involved in an attack will also now be subject to a scaled system of fines.

John Wilson, the city’s director of Animal Care and Park Rangers, said a significant increase in the number of animal attacks prompted the recommendation for an update to the 20-year-old bylaw.

“Last year, unfortunately, we saw 947 dog attacks in Edmonton, and this was down from the peak of over 1,000 in 2024,” Wilson told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.

“This is a huge concern to us and many other Edmontonians, so it’s very important this bylaw addresses that issue.”

Fines for dog attacks now range from $250 to $3,000. If a dog has been convicted of an attack in the past and acts again, fines can range from $2,500 to $7,000. There is also a “double fine” for dogs that are convicted of attacks subsequent to their first.

New to the bylaw is dog owners will now have 24 hours to report an incident or face an additional $250 fine. Licence fees will also increase by $1 a year for the next three years. It’s the first bump in fees since 2019.

Stronger feral cat control

The new bylaw also aims to help city workers better control Edmonton’s feral cat population.

The bylaw no longer differentiates feral cats and unowned cats from owned cats, allowing volunteers and community members to provide care to cats without them being accountable for ownership.

The city estimates there are about 70,000 feral cats in Edmonton, with just 600 entering the Animal Care and Control Centre annually.

The updated bylaw also has an increased focus on animal welfare

It looks to protect animals from harm and life-threatening situations, including pets left in vehicles in extreme weather or pets left in a yard without access to shelter. Pets must also now travel securely inside a vehicle. Owners transporting them unsecured in the bed of a pickup truck will face fines.

Other changes

• Free licences to registered non-profit charities involved in animal rescue work;
• Discounted pet licences for seniors and residents who have income support;
• Clear regulations and licensing for urban agriculture involving hens, bees and rabbits.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson and Angela Amato