Registration and licencing

Every cat and dog must be registered by its owner and have its licence renewed annually. In the case of dogs, their weight must be indicated when they are registered.

Licences are valid from January 1 to December 31, and must be renewed annually before December 31.

Dogs and cats are required to wear their tags.

Obtaining and renewing a licence

There are several ways to obtain or renew a licence:

• online through the SPCAO website;
• by calling 819-243-2004;
• in person at the SPCAO, 132 rue de Varennes (Gatineau sector); or
• in person at one of Gatineau's five municipal service centres.

Custody

Pets must be kept on their owner's or guardian's property under the control and supervision of an adult or in a fenced-in property, attached or in an enclosure. 

A maximum of four pets (cats and dogs combined) are permitted per dwelling.

Special rules for dogs

A dog's owner is responsible for providing for its material needs and ensuring that it behaves properly, regardless of its breed or size.

A dog must be kept on the same property where its owner or guardian resides, in a fenced-in area or attached or in an enclosure or restrained by some other means. This rule does not apply on properties in agricultural areas or outside the urban perimeter.

Dogs must behave in a socially acceptable manner, that is to say they must not bark, howl, growl or cause unpleasantness for passers-by or the neighbourhood.

In a public area, a dog must at all times be under the control of a person who is capable of controlling it, and must be on a leash no longer than 1.85 metres (6 feet), except in a dog exercise area. Retractable leashes are not recommended. In addition, a dog that weighs 22 kilograms (44 pounds) or more must wear a harness or a halter to which its leash is attached.

Animal care

Any gross negligence in the custody, maintenance, health or well-being of an animal constitutes an infraction. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies and other contagious diseases.

Hygiene and environment

An animal's owner or guardian must immediately pick up its droppings on any public or private property–including his or her own–and dispose of those droppings in a hygienic manner. Biodegradable bags are recommended, and should be discarded in the garbage.

Dogs that pose a risk, dogs that are declared potentially dangerous, and dogs that are being monitored

A dog is not deemed potentially dangerous based on its breed or size but because of its behaviour.

In order to maximize everyone's safety and reduce the risks related to dogs, Gatineau has adopted special measures related to the management of dogs.

Dogs that pose a risk

As soon as Gatineau is notified that a dog has attacked, bitten or shown signs of aggression towards a person or a pet, it is deemed a dog that poses a risk, and an investigation is immediately initiated. The dog may undergo a behavioural assessment by a dog behaviourist to determine how much of a risk it poses. The owner is responsible for covering the cost of the assessment.

During the determination of whether a dog is potentially dangerous, the owner or guardian is required to apply the following measures:

• the dog must wear a basket muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 1.25 metres (4 feet) outside its enclosure;
• the dog may not be in the presence of a child aged 10 years or under without the constant supervision of someone aged 18 years or over; and
• the dog is not permitted in any municipal park, municipal playground, recreational pathway or dog exercise area within Gatineau.

An owner or a guardian who fails to comply with any of these measures is liable to penalties.

Dogs that are declared potentially dangerous

Following an investigation, upon receipt of a behavioural assessment or when justified by circumstances, Gatineau may declare a dog as potentially dangerous.

The owner or guardian of a dog declared potentially dangerous is required to apply the following measures:

• the dog must be kept on a leash no longer than 1.25 metres (4 feet) when outside its enclosure;
• the dog must wear a basket muzzle at all times outside its enclosure;
• the dog must be sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, and have an up-to-date vaccination record;
• the dog must be microchipped for identification;
• the dog may not be in the presence of a child aged 10 years or under without the constant supervision of a person aged 18 years or over;
• the owner or guardian and the dog must take a basic training and obedience class with an organization recognized by Gatineau;
• the owner or guardian may only be out with one potentially dangerous dog at a time;
• the owner or guardian must post a sign on their property stating “Warning, dangerous dog”; and
• any other special measure aimed at reducing the risk posed by the dog.

A dog declared potentially dangerous is not permitted in any municipal park, municipal playground, recreational pathway or dog exercise area within Gatineau.

Dogs being monitored

Following an investigation, if it is determined that it would not be justified to declare as potentially dangerous a dog presenting signs of aggression, that dog is automatically added to the list of dogs being monitored. Pursuant to by-law number 183 2005, that dog's owner must meet certain conditions.

For the full version of the by-law concerning dogs declared potentially dangerous, go to gatineau.ca.

Penalties

A dog owner or guardian who infringes the by-law is liable to a fine ranging from:

• for a first infraction: $300 to $2,000; and 
• for any subsequent infraction: the fine will be doubled.

An owner or guardian who provides false or misleading information when registering an animal is liable to a fine ranging from $250 to $1,500.

An owner or guardian who infringes the special conditions concerning potentially dangerous dogs is liable to a fine ranging from:

• for a first infraction: $1,000 to $5,000; and
• for any subsequent infraction: the fine will be doubled.

Dog exercise areas

An owner or guardian is responsible for:

• keeping the dog under control and adhering to the code of conduct; and
• picking up the dog's droppings and disposing of them.

A dog must:

• have a valid licence and be wearing its tag;
• be vaccinated; and
• not be aggressive.

Dogs on leash

A dog may be walked on leash in certain parks in Gatineau, as long as it meets the following conditions:

• the dog has a valid licence and is wearing its tag;
• the dog must be under the control of a person who is able to keep it under control;
• the dog is being walked on a leash no longer than 1.85 metres (6 feet); and
• a dog weighing 20 kilograms (44 pounds) or more must at all times wear a halter or a harness to which its leash is attached.

Dogs are not permitted in the following areas:

• sports fields;
• children's play structures; and
• wading pools, splash pads and outdoor pools.

For the list of parks where dogs may be walked on leash, go to gatineau.ca.

Dogs off leash

Dogs may be walked off leash in the following parks:

Aylmer sector

• non-groomed portion of parc Jardins-Lavigne (retention pond)

Gatineau sector

• Parc Lamarche
• Parc du Lac-Beauchamp (entrance across from 757 boulevard Saint-René Est). Dogs may only be off-leash until the north end of the railway tracks.

Hull sector

• Parc de la Technologie

Sites managed by a non-profit organization

• Parc Allen (under construction) (Aylmer sector)
• grounds of the Cadieux-Laflamme fire station (Buckingham sector)

The Municipal Council may at any time revise the list of sites where dogs may be walked on or off leash. For the most up-to-date information, check the municipal Web site.

Information

For the full version of by-law 183-2005 (in French only) go to gatineau.ca.

• Section du stationnement, de la brigade scolaire et du contrôle animalier
  775 boulevard de la Carrière, Suite 200
  (Hull sector)
• Hull service centre
  775 boulevard de la Carrière
• Aylmer service centre
  115 rue Principale
• Buckingham service centre
  515 rue Charles
• Gatineau service centre
  144 boulevard de l'Hôpital
• Masson-Angers service centre
  57 chemin de Montréal Est