Restricted Dogs

Pet owners who own a dog that is deemed ‘restricted’ must follow certain rules and regulations. 

Dogs can be deemed restricted when convicted under the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw (see Bylaws - A)

• Chasing, attacking or biting any person or animal with or without causing minor physical injury (two convictions), or
• Chasing, attacking or biting any person or animal causing physical injury (one conviction).

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Regulations Applying to Restricted Dogs

1. Hold a Restricted Dog Licence

The licence fee for a dog convicted of chasing, attacking, or biting people or other animals is $250 per year. The fine for not obtaining that licence, or allowing that licence to expire without obtaining a new one is $500.

All dogs and cats in the city of Edmonton must be licensed annually. Although the City of Edmonton's legislation no longer restricts dogs by their breed, a valid pet licence is required from the Animal Care and Control Centre.

2. Obtain Liability Insurance 

You must have a minimum of $1 million liability insurance that specifically covers damages for personal injury caused by the Restricted Dog. The fine for not obtaining this insurance is $500.

3. Muzzle, Leash and Control on Public Property

If you take the Restricted Dog off your property, you must ensure that at all times it is:

• Under control
• Muzzled
• Held on a leash no longer than two (2) metres

The fine for non-compliance is $500.

4. Controlled on Private Property

If the Restricted Dog is outside on your own property, it must be controlled in the following ways at all times:

• Secured in a fully enclosed pen, or
• Muzzled and secured by a chain fixed to the property that prevents the restricted dog from coming closer than two (2) metres to the apparent boundary of the property. Please note that a tether is not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

The fine for non-compliance is $500.

5. Other Regulations

As with any dog, a restricted dog is not permitted to commit the following:

• Damage property
• Chase, attack or bite any person or animal*
• Chase, attack or bite any person or animal causing physical injury*

Incidents involving these actions may lead to fines or additional enforcement actions. The fine is $500 if a dog chases, attacks or bites a person or animal and $2,500 if the chase, attack or bite to a person or animal causes physical injury.

*This section does not apply if the chase, attack, bite or damage is a direct result of the Restricted Dog being provoked.