What penalties are there for violating pet ownership rules?
Calgary is widely known as a city that implements one of the strictest models of responsible pet ownership in Canada. The main goal of the current Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw is to ensure community safety, the well-being of pets, and civil order. To achieve this goal, the city has a detailed system of fines, penalties, and administrative consequences for various violations of pet ownership rules.
Main types of fines
1. Lack of a license for a dog or cat
All dogs and cats over 3 months of age must be licensed. If a pet is not licensed, the owner will be fined $250. Repeated violations will result in higher fines, and the violation itself may be recorded in your administrative history with city services.
2. False information when registering
If the pet owner provides false information about sterilization or other details when applying for a license, according to the updated law, this will result in a $500 fine. This fine applies even if a false declaration was signed instead of a sterilization certificate.
3. Violation of regulations on the number of animals
The city limits the number of pets: no more than six cats and six dogs are allowed in one household. Exceeding the limit without a special Excess Animal Permit results in a fine of $250 or more, including the requirement to remove excess animals in the most serious cases.
4. Violation of animal treatment rules
Walking dogs without a leash (in public places, except for specially designated areas) also results in a fine, usually ranging from $100 to $250.
Owners of aggressive or so-called “vicious” animals must pay an increased annual license fee ($315 in 2025) and comply with special conditions: mandatory muzzling, keeping the animal in an isolated room, constant adult supervision, etc.
If an animal attacks, bites, or seriously injures a person or another animal, the owner may be fined significantly higher amounts — up to $10,000 according to the law, and in extreme cases, the court may order the removal and euthanasia of the animal or prohibit the owner from owning animals for a certain period of time.
5. Cats walking outside their own territory
Cats must remain on the owner's property. If a cat is spotted “on the loose” or causes damage to other property, the fine starts at $25 and can reach $1,500 depending on the frequency and severity of the violation.
6. Violations due to noise, pollution, or aggression
It is strictly prohibited to keep animals that constantly create noise, aggression, or pollute public or private areas. Repeated violations will result in higher fines and may result in the removal of the animal.
7. Keeping an animal in dangerous or inappropriate conditions
In cases of neglect, leaving an animal unattended, without food, water, or shelter from the cold, fines, administrative investigations, or even criminal liability may apply. Such cases are often referred to the Calgary Humane Society for further investigation.
8. Costs of seizure, impoundment, and return of an animal
If an animal has been seized for a violation, you must pay an impoundment fee ($47 for a regular animal, $310 for an aggressive animal) as well as daily impoundment fees ($33 per dog, $25 per cat per day). If the owner does not claim the animal within 4–10 days, it is transferred to a municipal or volunteer service to find new owners.
Introduction of special sanctions
In the most serious cases, the court may impose additional sanctions, such as a total ban on owning animals for up to 15 years (as in the high-profile 2022 case, when the owner of three dogs was fined $18,000 after a tragic attack on an elderly woman). There is also the threat of legal liability under Alberta's Dangerous Dogs Act, which can impose even harsher measures, including euthanasia of the animal and court fines of tens of thousands of dollars.
Right to appeal and challenge a fine
Every owner can challenge a fine or decision to remove an animal through the city's License and Community Standards Appeal Board. Independent experts, including veterinarians and certified animal behavior trainers, are involved in the appeal process.
Updates to rules and fines
The city council regularly reviews fines, so you should check the official website at calgary.ca and call 311 for the latest info. New programs (breeding, emotional support, other types of animals) may also affect the list and types of fines in the future.
Conclusion
Calgary considers animal care to be an important part of civic responsibility. The fine system is in place to encourage compliance with the law and prevent incidents that could result in harm to animals or people. The current rules cover everything from mandatory licensing to noise control, aggression, pollution, and keeping excessive numbers of animals. Providing false information, repeated violations, or an animal's involvement in serious incidents significantly increase the amount of the fine and may result in the loss of the right to own an animal for many years.
To avoid conflicts and protect the rights of both the owner and the animal, it is necessary to regularly review the current requirements, pay attention to the nuances of the law, and comply with all rules for keeping pets.