Dog owners need greater education as bites and aggressive acts increases: Montreal

City of Montreal spokesperson Philippe Sabourin said more dog owners need education on how to socialize dogs.

The City of Montreal says the increase in aggressive or biting dogs is due to more people owning them and not enough owners with appropriate knowledge about owning a dog.

In 2024, there was a 4.39 per cent increase in dog bites or aggressive behaviour cases from the year prior, 501 to 523.

In 2022, the number was 482, and in 2021, it was 415.

The 26 per cent increase since the end of the pandemic, the city said, is partly due to the steady increase in the number of dogs and an increase in reports made to the city.

“Which can be explained by citizens’ greater awareness of the incident reporting process or by the obligation for veterinarians to report bite incidents to municipalities,” the city said.

Veterinarians and doctors are required by Quebec law to report dog bites to municipal authorities, and vets are required to do so when they believe that a dog is a risk to public health.

The most recent data from the city shows a 37 per cent increase in dog ownership from 2017 (115,000) to 2021 (158,000).

In addition, the city said owners need to be more aware of the realities of owning a dog.

“Many dogs exhibit inappropriate behaviour in certain situations due to a lack of socialization and training,” the city said.

The city offered 54 dog workshops in 2024 in 49 parks, which more than 450 people attended.

The city also has a dedicated team for managing aggressive dogs, and it provides information for owners on Montreal’s rules.

To adapt to the increase in the canine population and to equip dog owners, the City of Montreal is taking various actions, including dog training and awareness.

“It is important to note that dog training, using positive techniques, remains an essential part of coexistence in densely populated urban areas and one of the best solutions for preventing bites,” the city said. “Citizens are encouraged to plan their trips with their dogs when they wish to access shops by, among other things, asking someone to accompany them to supervise the animal outside.”