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Bylaw 26-008
Page 1 of 13
BYLAW 26-008
OF
LAC LA BICHE COUNTY
A BYLAW OF LAC LA BICHE COUNTY, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, TO PROVIDE FOR THE
LICENSING, REGULATION AND CONTROL OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS INCLUDING DANGEROUS OR
AGGRESSIVE DOGS, AND THE RUNNING OF DOGS AT LARGE.
WHEREAS pursuant to section 7(a) of the Municipal Government Act, Chapter M-26, RSA 2000, and
amendments thereto the Council of a municipality may pass bylaws for the safety, health and welfare of
people and the protection of people and property;
WHEREAS pursuant to section 7(h) of the Municipal Government Act, Chapter M-26, RSA 2000, and
amendments thereto the Council of a municipality may also pass bylaws related to wild and domestic animals
and activities in relation to them, including the restraining and destruction of dogs, and the conditions
governing the payment of costs and expenses for impoundment;
WHEREAS pursuant to section 7(i) of the Municipal Government Act, Chapter M-26, RSA 2000, and
amendments thereto the Council of a municipality may by bylaw provide for the enforcement of bylaws made
under the Municipal Government Act or any other enactment including any or all of the matters listed therein;
AND WHEREAS Lac La Biche County Council deems it desirable and in the best interest of the public to
restrain and regulate dangerous dogs, the running of dogs and the barking and howling of dogs within the
boundaries of Lac La Biche County;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of Lac La Biche County duly assembled enacts as follows:
PART 1 - TITLE
1.
This Bylaw may be cited as "The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw".
PART 2 - DEFINITIONS
2.
In this Bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "At Large" when used in reference to a Dog, means a Dog which is off the premises of the
Owner or person in care and control of the Dog, and is not on a leash and/or under the control of
a person able to control the Dog;
(b) "Chief Administrative Officer" shall mean the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Lac La
Biche County or his or her designate;
Bylaw 26-008
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(c) "County" means Lac La Biche County;
(d) "Dangerous Dog" means any Dog, which in the opinion of a Peace Officer:
(i)
without provocation, shows a propensity, disposition or potential to attack or injure
humans or animals;
(ii)
without provocation attacks, bites, or injures any human or animal;
(iii)
is deemed to be dangerous by a Court; or
(iv)
if, after investigation or inquiry, is deemed by a Peace Officer to be a Dangerous Dog.
(e) "Dog" means either male or female canine or similar animal;
(f)
"Domestic Animal" means such animals that have been domesticated for agricultural use or
pets including but not limited to pigs, horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, goats, pigeons etc., but, for
the purpose of this Bylaw, does not include Dogs or cats;
(g) "Impounded" means taken into custody of the Pound;
(h) "Kennel" means an establishment run by any person or corporation engaged in the business of
breeding, buying, selling, training, or boarding of Dogs;
(i)
"Nuisance Dog" means any dog that has been the subject of three or more convictions within
the previous three (3) years for any combination of the offences contained in this Bylaw;
(j)
"Owner" means and includes any person, group of persons, firm or corporation owning or
possessing or having control over a Dog; or is in actual or apparent possession or control of
property where an animal apparently resides;
(k) "Park" means land designated as a Park, campground, day use area, recreation area, playground,
or boat launch by the Council, as found in the Recreational Areas Protection Bylaw 08-019.
Relevant sections relating to animal control of Bylaw 08-019 include section 70 - 76 of the
aforementioned bylaw;
(l) "Peace Officer" means a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a Peace Officer
appointed under the Peace Officer Act, or a Bylaw Enforcement Officer employed by the County;
(m) "Pound" means the premises designated by the Chief Administrative Officer for the purpose of
impounding and caring for Dogs or other animals found within the County, or which are in violation
of this Bylaw;
(n) "Restricted Dog" means any Dog:
Bylaw 26-008
Page 3 of 13
(i) that has chased, attacked or bitten any person or animal causing physical injury and resulting
in a conviction under this Bylaw;
(ii) that has chased, attacked or bitten any person or animal on more than one occasion, with or
without causing physical injury, and resulting in separate convictions under this Bylaw; or
(iii) that has been made the subject of an order under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
(o) "Violation Tag" means a ticket or similar document issued by a Peace Officer on behalf of the
County;
(p) "Violation Ticket" means a ticket issued pursuant to the Provincial Offences Procedure Act.
PART 3 - LICENSING
3.
No person shall own, keep or harbour any Dog within the County limits unless such Dog is licenced as
provided herein.
4.
The Owner of a Restricted Dog shall obtain and keep in good standing a Restricted Dog licence for
the Dog, this licence will be renewed annually.
5.
Every Owner of a Dog over the age of six (6) months that resides within the limits of the County shall
purchase a one-time licence from the County as prescribed by and subject to the payment of fees set
out in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw attached hereto.
6.
No person shall operate a Kennel within the County without first obtaining a development permit from
the County. A development permit may contain conditions that regulate the operation of the Kennel
and every Kennel and its operator(s) shall abide by any and all applicable conditions of the permit.
7.
No person or persons, other than a person that has possession of a development permit to operate a
Kennel, shall keep or harbour more than four (4) Dogs aged six (6) months or more at one time on a
lot or property, or in any house, shelter, room or confined place, within any hamlet or residential
subdivision of the County or within the County of Lac La Biche.
8.
Section 3 and 5 of this Bylaw shall not apply to premises:
(a) authorized by a Peace Officer as a temporary foster home;
(b) the Pound or premises lawfully used for the care and treatment of Dogs operated by a licenced
veterinarian;
(c) premises which with the written permission of the County may be temporarily used for the purpose
of a Dog show; or
(d) to any person in possession of a valid development permit to operate a Kennel, pet store or Dog
grooming type business.
Bylaw 26-008
Page 4 of 13
9.
Owners shall provide the County with the following information when purchasing a Dog licence:
(a) name, street address and telephone number of Owner;
(b) name, sex and description of the Dog to be licenced;
(c) proof of current rabies and immunizations;
(d) proof of spaying or neutering if applicable; and
(e) such other information as may be required with respect to the Dog licence.
10.
Licences issued under this Bylaw shall not be transferrable from one Dog to another.
11.
Upon payment of the required licence fee the Owner will be supplied with a Dog tag.
12.
Every Owner shall ensure that the Dog tag is securely fastened to a choke chain, collar or harness
which must be worn by the Dog at all times.
13.
The Owner of a Dog that has been licenced under this Bylaw may obtain a Dog tag to replace a tag
that has been lost upon payment of the fee specified in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw.
14.
Licence provision of this Bylaw shall not apply to a person temporarily in the County for a period not
exceeding thirty (30) days.
15.
The County shall keep a database or record that records the name, address and telephone number of
each Owner, the breed, colour and sex of each Owner's Dog together with the date of registration of
the Owner's Dog the number stamped on the metallic tag issued to the Owner, the date of last
immunization of the Dog, confirmation of neutering or spaying if applicable as well as the licence fee
paid by the Owner.
PART 4 - RESPONSIBILITIES OF DOG OWNER
16.
No Owner shall allow any Dog to be At Large within the County. When any Dog is found to be At Large,
its Owner shall be deemed to have failed to comply with this section.
17.
The Owner or any other person having care or control of a Dog or Restricted Dog shall, at all times
when it is off the property of the Owner, have it:
(a) Under control and held on a leash not exceeding two (2) meters in length.
18.
When a Dog or Nuisance Dog is within an off-leash area the Dog or Nuisance Dog need not be held
on a leash; however, the Owner or any other person having care or control of the Dog or Nuisance
Dog shall carry with them a leash for the Dog or Nuisance Dog not exceeding two (2) meters in length.
19.
Nothing in this section removes the obligation on a person to have a Dog or Nuisance Dog under
control when it is off the property of the Owner.
Bylaw 26-008
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20.
(1) When a Dog defecates on any public or private property other than the property of its Owner, the
Owner shall cause such defecation to be removed immediately. Guide Dogs utilized by a person
who is legally blind are exempt from this sub-section of this Bylaw; and
(2) When a Dog defecates on its Owner's property to the extent that excessive smell results, the
Owner shall immediately remove the defecation on notice of a Peace Officer or Health Authority
having jurisdiction.
21.
(1) No Owner or person shall permit his or her Dog to bark or howl excessively or act in any other
manner that disturbs the peace, quiet or repose of another person.
(2) When a Dog barks, howls or in any other manner disturbs the quiet of another person, the Owner
shall be deemed to have failed or refused to comply with section 21(1) of this Bylaw. After the
third offence if the Dog is still barking, howling, or creating a disturbance the Dog may be
apprehended by a Peace Officer and removed from the premises. Any Dog that is apprehended
under this section becomes the property of the County and may be destroyed or disposed of in
accordance with section 44 of this Bylaw.
(3) Section 21 of this Bylaw applies only within the boundaries of a Hamlet or Residential Subdivision
within the County.
22.
No Owner shall permit his or her Dog to damage public or private property. When a Dog damages
public or private property, its Owner shall be deemed to have failed, or refused to comply with this
section.
23.
No Dog shall be permitted to be a public nuisance by:
(a) causing any harm or damage to property;
(b) barking or chasing bicycles and automobiles;
(c) chase, attack or bite any person or animal; or
(d) this section does not apply if the bite, attack, or attempt is a direct result of the Dog being provoked.
PART 5 - RESTRICTED DOG
24. The Owner of a Restricted Dog shall have liability insurance specifically covering any damages for
personal injury caused by the Restricted Dog in an amount not less than one million dollars
($1,000.000.00) and shall provide proof of such insurance to the Chief Administrative Officer or his or
her designate upon request.
25. The Owner or any other person having care and control of a Restricted Dog shall, at all times when it
is off the property of the Owner have it:
Bylaw 26-008
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(a) Under control, muzzled, and held on a leash not exceeding two (2) meters in length.
26. The Owner or any other person having care and control of a Restricted Dog shall, at all times when it
is on the property of the owner have it:
(a) indoors, outdoors, secured in a fully enclosed pen; or
(b) outdoors, muzzled and secured by a chain fixed to the property that prevents the Restricted Dog
from coming closer than two (2) meters to the apparent boundary of the property.
27. The Owner or any other person having care or control of a Restricted Dog shall ensure it does not:
(a) damage property;
(b) chase, attack or bite any person or animal; or
(c) chase, attack or bite any person or animal causing physical injury.
This section does not apply if the chase, attack, bite or damage is a direct result of the Restricted Dog
being provoked.
28. Officers will also keep a list of Restricted Dogs and conduct a yearly inspection of the location to verify
compliance with the requirements being: Liability insurance, a muzzle, either an enclosed pen or a
chain tether affixed to the location, and ensuring the Restricted Dog licence is valid.
29. Dogs are not permitted to be in or on the following areas:
(a) playground structures or apparatus, spray structures or apparatus, in area of sand or other like
material surrounding playground structures;
(b) be within two (2) meters of any playground structures or apparatus area; and
(c) recreation parks such as skate parks, non-flooded outdoor skating rinks, flooded outdoor skating
rinks.
30. When utilizing the off-leash Dog Park, Dogs must be under control at all times. If the Dog is known or
thought to have behavioral issues or aggressiveness towards other people or animals, the Dog must
be muzzled when utilizing the off-leash area at all times.
PART 6 - DANGEROUS AND AGGRESSIVE DOGS
31.
A Dog may be deemed to be a Dangerous Dog in accordance with section 2(d) of this Bylaw.
Bylaw 26-008
Page 7 of 13
32.
Every Dangerous Dog must be:
(a) confined indoors;
(b) muzzled, leashed and under the effective control of a person over the age of 18 years; or
(c) confined in a properly signed, secured and locked yard or enclosure sufficient to keep the Dog in
and children out of the yard or enclosure.
33.
The Owner of any Dog that bites a person shall promptly report the incident to a Peace Officer and the
Dog may thereupon be quarantined for a period of ten (10) days at the discretion of a Peace Officer
and shall not be released from such quarantine except by written permission of the Medical Officer of
Health. At the discretion of a Peace Officer, such quarantine may be on the premises of the Owner or
at the Pound. In the case of stray Dogs whose ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at
the Pound.
34.
A Peace Officer may at any time destroy a Dangerous Dog which is not kept in compliance with section
32 of this Bylaw.
PART 7 - GENERAL REGULATION
35.
Unless otherwise specifically permitted by the County Land Use Bylaw, no person shall keep a
Domestic Animal in any Hamlet or Residential Subdivision within the County.
36.
No person shall negligently or wilfully open any gate, door or other opening in a fence or enclosure in
which a Dog or Domestic Animal has been confined or otherwise obstruct or interfere with the
confinement of any Dog or Domestic Animal, thereby allowing said Dog or Domestic Animal to run At
Large within the County.
37.
No person shall tease, torment, annoy, harm, or wilfully neglect any Dog or Domestic Animal.
PART 8 - IMPOUNDMENT AND DISPOSITION
38.
A Peace Officer may seize and capture any Dog found running At Large and impound the said Dog in
the Pound.
39.
If a member of the public has a reasonable belief that a Dog is a stray Dog within the County, then that
person is permitted to capture and/or secure the Dog and deliver the captured Dog to the Pound.
40.
A member of the public is also permitted to keep in their possession a Dog that is captured under
section 39 of this Bylaw until the lawful Owner of the Dog is located or until a Peace Officer can attend
to take possession of the Dog.
41.
A Peace Officer may destroy any Dog found running At Large within the County if other reasonable
efforts to capture the Dog have been exhausted.
42.
To assist in the seizure or capture of Dogs running At Large a Peace Officer may utilize live traps.
Bylaw 26-008
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43.
A Dog that has been Impounded shall be kept in the County Pound for a period of at least seventy-
two (72) hours. Dogs that appear to be purebred or if it bears an obvious identification device, tattoo,
brand, mark, tag or licence the Dog shall be Impounded for ten (10) days. During this period, any
healthy Dog may be redeemed by its Owner, or agent of the Owner, upon proof of payment of the
Pound fees as described in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw for every twenty-four (24) hour period or fraction
thereof that the Dog has been Impounded and the appropriate specified penalty as described in
Schedule "B" of this Bylaw; plus, where the Dog is not licenced, the appropriate licence fee as
described in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw.
44.
At the expiration of the required impound period, any Dog not claimed may be destroyed, or sold or
adopted to a person other than the Owner provided that such person shall be responsible for any or
all payments listed in section 43 of this Bylaw.
45.
The Owner of a Dog which has been Impounded and which carries a current licence tag, shall be
notified, when possible, of the impoundment and such licenced Impounded Dog may be redeemed in
accordance with section 43 of this Bylaw.
46.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Bylaw, when in the judgement of a licenced Veterinarian or a
Peace Officer, a Dog should be destroyed for humane reasons, such Dog may not be redeemed.
47.
No action shall be taken against any person acting under the authority of this Bylaw for damages
related to the destruction or other disposal of any animal, or for any other action authorized by this
Bylaw.
48.
For the purpose of investigation or enforcement of this Bylaw a Peace Officer is hereby authorized to
enter any privately-owned premises at any reasonable time, provided however that in this section the
word "premises" does not include a building used as a dwelling house.
49.
The Chief Administrative Officer or his or her designate will establish one or more Pounds for the
keeping and impounding of Dogs or will enter into an agreement with another municipality or private
business which will provide Animal Control or Pound keeping services.
50.
No person shall without the consent of a Peace Officer remove or attempt to remove any Dog from the
possession of the County Pound until such time as all penalties and costs have been satisfied.
51.
Any Owner may request that a Dog be surrendered to or destroyed by the County subject to a fee and
approval by a Peace Officer as prescribed in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw.
PART 9 - RABIES CONTROL
52.
On official report of an outbreak or a threatened outbreak of rabies, or any disease affecting animals
that may be transmitted to human beings, the Chief Administrative Officer or his or her designate may
order and direct that all animals be confined entirely to the Owner's premises.
53.
When an animal under quarantine has been diagnosed as rabid, or suspected by a licenced
Veterinarian as being rabid, and dies while under such observation, a Peace Officer shall immediately
send the head of such animal to the appropriate health department for pathological examination and
Bylaw 26-008
Page 9 of 13
shall notify the Medical Officer of Health for the County of reports of human contacts, and the diagnosis
made of the suspected animal.
54.
During such period of rabies quarantine as herein mentioned, every animal bitten by an animal
adjudged to be rabid, shall be forthwith destroyed, or at the Owner's expense and option shall be
treated for rabies infection by a licenced Veterinarian or held under quarantine by the Owner in the
same manner as other animals are quarantined.
55.
Except as provided by authority of this Bylaw, no person shall, kill, or cause to be killed, any rabid
animal, any animal suspected of having been exposed to rabies, or any animal that has bitten a human,
or remove the same from the County limits without permission from a Peace Officer.
56.
The carcass of any dead animal exposed to rabies shall, upon demand, be surrendered to a Peace
Officer.
57.
A Peace Officer shall direct the disposition of any animal found to be infected with rabies.
PART 10 - PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT
58.
Any person who contravenes any provisions of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and liable upon
summary conviction:
(a) to a specified penalty for a first offence as set out in Schedule "B" of this Bylaw;
(b) to a specified penalty for a second/subsequent offence of double the original penalty as set out
in Schedule "B" attached hereto and forming part of this Bylaw; or
(c) where no specific penalty is specified, a penalty to be imposed in the discretion of the Court
having jurisdiction, having regard to section 7(i) of the Municipal Government Act.
59.
A Peace Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a municipal Violation Tag to any person
who they have reasonable and probable grounds to believe has contravened any provision of this
Bylaw.
60.
Where a municipal Violation Tag is issued pursuant to this Bylaw, the person to whom the municipal
Violation Tag is issued may, in lieu of being prosecuted for the offence, pay the County the penalty
specified on the Violation Tag.
61.
If the penalty specified on the municipal Violation Tag is not paid within the prescribed time period,
then a Peace Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a Violation Ticket pursuant to the
Provincial Offences Procedure Act.
62.
Notwithstanding section 61 of this Bylaw, a Peace Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to
immediately issue a Violation Ticket pursuant to the Provincial Offences Procedures Act, as amended,
to any person who the Peace Officer has reasonable grounds to believe has contravened any
provisions of this Bylaw.
Bylaw 26-008
Page 10 of 13
63.
A Provincial Court Judge, in addition to the other penalties provided for in this Bylaw, may if he or she
considers the offence sufficiently serious, direct or order the person that owns, keeps, maintains, or
harbours a Dog, to prevent such Dog from doing mischief or causing a disturbance or a nuisance, or
to order that the animal be removed from the County, or order that the animal be destroyed.
64.
Nothing in this Bylaw shall prevent a Peace Officer from issuing a Violation Ticket for a mandatory
court appearance to any person who contravened any provision of this Bylaw.
65.
No person, whether or not he or she is the Owner of the Dog which is being or has been pursued, or
captured, shall:
(a) interfere with or attempt to obstruct a Peace Officer who is attempting to capture, or who has
captured, any Dog in accordance with the provision of this Bylaw;
(b) induce any Dog to enter a house or other place where it may be safe from capture, or otherwise
assist the Dog to escape capture;
(c) falsely represent themselves as being in charge or in control of a Dog in an attempt to establish
that the Dog is not running At Large;
(d) unlock or unlatch or otherwise open the truck or vehicle in which a captured Dog has been placed
so as to allow or attempt to allow any Dog or Dogs to escape;
(e) falsely represent themselves as being the Owner of a Dog in order to attempt to avoid a fine or
obtain a lesser fine; or
(f)
interfere with the issuance of an Violation Ticket or Violation Tag for a breach of any of the
provisions of this Bylaw by the Peace Officer.
PART 11 - SEVERABILITY
66.
Each provision of this Bylaw is independent of all other provisions. If any provision is declared invalid
by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions of this Bylaw will remain valid and enforceable.
PART 12 - EFFECTIVE DATE
67.
Lac La Biche County Bylaw # 20-003 shall be repealed upon passage of this Bylaw.
68.
This Bylaw shall come into effect upon passing of the third reading.
THAT BYLAW 26-008 BE GIVEN FIRST READING THIS 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
THAT BYLAW 26-008 BE GIVEN SECOND READING THIS 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
Bylaw 26-008
Page 11 of 13
THAT BYLAW 26-008 BE GIVEN THIRD AND FINAL READING THIS 5th DAY OF MAY, 2026, AS
AMENDED.
"Original Signed"
Mayor
"Original Signed"
Chief Administrative Officer
Bylaw 26-008
Page 12 of 13
SCHEDULE "A"
LICENCE AND SERVICE FEES
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP BYLAW 26-008
Dog Licence
$75.00
Spayed or Neutered Dog
$35.00
Replacement of Lost Licence Tag
$10.00
Owner Surrender or Request to destroy Dog
$150.00
Impoundment Fee
$50.00 per day per Dog
Restricted Dog Licence
$250.00
Bylaw 26-008
Page 13 of 13
SCHEDULE "B"
SPECIFIED PENALTIES
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP BYLAW 26-008
Section
Offence
Penalty
2nd
Offence
3rd
Offence
3 or 5
Fail to obtain a Dog license
$100.00
$200.00
COURT
4
Fail to obtain and keep a Restricted Dog licence
$300.00
$600.00
COURT
6
Operate a Kennel without a permit and/or fail to abide by Permit conditions
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
7
Have more than four (4) Dogs in a premise
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
12
Fail to securely fasten licence to a Dog
$100.00
$200.00
COURT
16
Allow a Dog to run
$400.00
$800.00
COURT
17
Fail to keep Dog on leash when on public property or off private property
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
18
Fail to carry a leash on person when using off-leash Park
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
20(1)
Fail to immediately remove defecation from public/private property
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
20(2)
Fail to remove defecation Owners property
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
21
Permit a Dog to bark or howl excessively
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
22
Permit a Dog to damage public or private property
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
23(a)
Permit a Dog to be a public nuisance - cause any harm or damage to
property
$800.00
$1600.00
COURT
23(b)
Permit a Dog to be a public nuisance - chasing bicycles or automobiles
$400.00 $800.00
COURT
23(c)
Permit a Dog to be a public nuisance - chase, attack or harm any person
or animal
$750.00
$1500.00
COURT
27(a)
Restricted Dog damages property
$800.00
$1600.00
COURT
27(b)
Restricted Dog chase, attack, or bite any person or animal
$1000.00
$2000.00
COURT
27(c)
Restricted Dog chase, attack, or bite any person or animal causing injury
$1500.00
$3000.00
COURT
28
Fail to comply with Restricted Dog requirements
$800.00
$1600.00
COURT
29
Dogs found in a non-permitted space
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
30
Fail to keep Dog under control in off-leash Park
$200.00
$400.00
COURT
31
Fail to comply with a Dangerous Dog condition
$800.00
$1600.00
COURT
33
Fail to report a Dog bite
$400.00
$800.00
COURT
36
Negligently allow a Dog or Domestic Animal to run
$500.00
$1000.00
COURT
37
Tease, torment, annoy, harm or willfully neglect a Dog or Domestic Animal
$800.00
$1600.00
COURT
50
Remove/attempt to remove a Dog from the Pound without consent
$800.00
$1600.00
COURT
65
Obstruct or attempt to obstruct a Peace Officer
$400.00
$800.00
COURT