Dogs & animal control across Nova Scotia
Do I need a dog licence? What are the leash rules?
49 of 49 municipalities in Nova Scotia have an adopted bylaw on dogs & animal control on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.
| Municipality | Adopted document | Key facts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town |
Companion Animal By-Law C-04
adopted 2023-11-27 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $15 spayed/neutered; $30 un-spayed/un-neutered; $15 tag replacement · leash rule: Dog must be kept on a leash and under control on any land in Town unless on owner's premises or on land where owner consented; not at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Annapolis County municipality |
Bylaw 7 — Dogs | licence required: False · leash rule: Dogs must not run at large; off premises requires leash or effective control. · fines: not less than $200.00 and not more than $1,000 first offence; not less than $300.00 and not more than $1,000 second; not less than $400.00 and not more than $1,000 third or subsequent | 2026-06-05 |
| Annapolis Royal Town |
Dog By-law No. 206 | licence required: False · leash rule: Dog at large = off owner's premises without leash or effective care and control; owner liable if dog runs at large · fines: $200-$1,000 first offence; $300-$1,000 second; $400-$1,000 third or subsequent | 2026-06-05 |
| Antigonish County municipality |
By-law 03-2019 Respecting the Responsible Ownership of Dogs
+1 more |
licence required: True · max animals: Max dogs limited by kennel building size at ratio of 5.5 square metres per dog · fines: $1,000-$10,000 and up to two months imprisonment in default | 2026-06-05 |
| Antigonish Town |
Dog Control By-Law | licence required: True · leash rule: Runs at large = found anywhere other than owner's premises without continuous restraint and control of a person · fines: First offence $135.75 (within 14 days) / $164.50; up to Fourth offence $394.50 / $682.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Argyle District municipality |
By-Law #11: Animals
+1 more |
leash rule: Owner/harbourer of any domestic animal who does not prevent it from going at large is liable to a penalty · fines: Not under $25.00 and not exceeding $250.00; up to 2 months imprisonment in default · licence required: True | 2026-06-05 |
| Barrington District municipality |
By-Law No. 11 — Animal Control By-Law
+1 more |
leash rule: Running at large = found anywhere other than owner's property and not under control of any person; no owner shall permit an Animal to run at large · fines: Not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00 and up to 30 days imprisonment in default · leash rule: Off owner's premises, dog must be kept under control by harness or leash; tethered dog able to leave property = at large; on Municipal Trails/Sidewalks dogs must be leashed | 2026-06-05 |
| Berwick Town |
Animal Bylaw (amended June 12, 2001)
+1 more adopted 2001-06-12 |
leash rule: Other domestic animals/fowl (horses, cattle, sheep, swine, etc.) shall not be at large within the Town; owner liable to penalty · fines: Not exceeding $50.00 (animals/fowl at large) and up to 10 days imprisonment in default · licence required: True | 2026-06-05 |
| Bridgewater Town |
Chapter 16 — Dog By-Law
adopted 2015-01-12 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $10 neutered/spayed; $30 un-neutered; fierce/dangerous dog $40; kennel $10 · leash rule: Running at large if off owner's premises without continuous restraint and control by leash, or tethered so it can leave property boundaries | 2026-06-05 |
| Cape Breton Regional municipality |
Circus Animal Prohibition By-law No. C-200
+2 more |
fines: $2,000 per animal per offence · licence required: True · leash rule: Dog must not be at large; off owner's property must be under physical restraint of a leash no more than 6 feet controlled by owner | 2026-06-05 |
| Chester District municipality |
Dog By-law No. 140 | — | 2026-06-05 |
| Clare District municipality |
By-Law No. 11 — Animals
+1 more |
leash rule: Owner/harbourer of any domestic animal who does not prevent it from going at large is liable to a penalty · licence required: False · licence fee: One-time registration fee $10 (includes dog tag); replacement tag at cost | 2026-06-05 |
| Clark's Harbour Town |
Dog Control By-law No. 17
adopted 2023-05-03 |
licence required: True · licence fee: One-time registration $10 (includes tag); replacement tag $5 · leash rule: Off owner's premises without continuous restraint and control is running at large; on Town trails and sidewalks dogs must be leashed at all times | 2026-06-05 |
| Colchester County municipality |
Livestock Control By-law — Chapter 14
+2 more adopted 2024-09-25 |
licence required: True · licence fee: Application fee as set in Municipal Fees Policy (amount not stated in by-law) · fines: $1,000-$10,000 and imprisonment up to two months in default | 2026-06-05 |
| Cumberland County municipality |
Canine Control By-Law 20-01
+1 more adopted 2020-01-15 |
leash rule: Running at large if off owner's premises without continuous restraint and control, tethered so it can leave property boundaries, or on the travelled portion/shoulder of a public road not under harness or leash · fines: $200-$5,000 and imprisonment up to 30 days; $100 payment in lieu within 14 days · leash rule: Livestock not on property owned/leased/rented/utilized by the owner and not under continuous restraint and control is deemed at large; owner must take all reasonable steps to prevent escape | 2026-06-05 |
| Digby District municipality |
Dog By-law #2006-02 | licence required: True · licence fee: $10.00 per dog (includes one identification tag) · leash rule: Dog off owner's premises, not on another's premises with permission, and not under effective restraint or control is running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Digby Town |
Feeding of Wild Birds and Animals By-law No. 2022-02
+2 more adopted 2022-09-06 |
fines: not less than $50.00 and not more than $1,000.00 · licence required: True · licence fee: $25.00 per dog (good for the life of the Dog); kennels $25.00 annual | 2026-06-05 |
| East Hants District municipality |
Dog Bylaw P-1000 (amended by P-1000-2)
adopted 2026-03-25 |
licence required: True · licence fee: lifetime registration fee set by policy of Council (amount not stated in bylaw); Service Dog exempt from fee · leash rule: Owner shall, while Dog is off the property occupied by the Owner, keep the Dog under control by means of a harness or Leash; tethered dog able to leave property is Running at Large | 2026-06-05 |
| Guysborough District municipality |
Dog By-Law #8 (amended January 2020) | leash rule: Dog must be under control by harness or leash when off property; otherwise confined to owner's premises. · fines: $500.00; $5,000.00; $1,000.00-$10,000.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Halifax Regional municipality |
By-law A-700 Respecting Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership
adopted 2015-11-10 |
licence required: True · leash rule: Dog must not run at large; running at large = off owner's property without a leash, on a leash not held by a person, or on a leash not under control · fines: Owning unlicensed dog $100-$5,000; most offences $200-$5,000; animal attack $300-$5,000; dangerous-dog attack $600-$5,000 | 2026-06-05 |
| Inverness County municipality |
By-Law 12 — Regulation of Animals
+1 more |
leash rule: Owner/harbourer of any domestic animal (incl. livestock, fowl) who does not prevent it from going at large is liable to penalty · fines: not exceeding One Hundred ($100) Dollars · licence required: True | 2026-06-05 |
| Kentville Town |
CH70 — Animal Control Bylaw (Consolidated) | licence required: True · licence fee: Dog Registration Fee set in Policy Statement G33 / by Policy of Council (amount not stated in bylaw); may differ by sex and spay/neuter status · leash rule: Animal runs at large when off owner's property without apparent restraint or control, or tethered able to leave property, or on signed property contrary to restriction | 2026-06-05 |
| Kings County municipality |
By-law 12A — Animal Control
+1 more |
leash rule: Animal, Cat or Urban Chicken runs at large when found in any place other than the owner's premises and not under apparent restraint or control of some person · fines: not less than One Hundred dollars ($100.00) and not more than Five Thousand dollars ($5,000.00) · licence required: True | 2026-06-05 |
| Lockeport Town |
Dog By-Law (By-Law 15) | licence required: True · licence fee: $10 spayed/neutered; $20 unspayed/unneutered; kennel $50/yr · leash rule: Dog off owner's premises and not under effective control or restraint is deemed running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Lunenburg District municipality |
By-law No. 007 — Domestic Animal By-law
+1 more adopted 1999-08-11 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $13 neutered; $25 unneutered ($5 discount if registered within 30 days of notice) · leash rule: No dog shall leave owner's premises unless under effective restraint and control | 2026-06-05 |
| Lunenburg Town |
Domestic and Wild Animals and Exotic Pets By-law No. 939
+1 more |
licence required: True · licence fee: $10 neutered male/spayed bitch; $25 unneutered male/unspayed bitch; kennel $10 · leash rule: No dog shall run at large; running at large = not on owner's premises and not under immediate, continuous and effective control | 2026-06-05 |
| Mahone Bay Town |
Dog Control By-law | licence required: True · licence fee: Dog Registration Fee set by resolution of Council (may be at no cost; replacement tag fee by resolution) · leash rule: Animal runs at large when off owner's property without being on a leash and under control of some person | 2026-06-05 |
| Middleton Town |
Dog Bylaw (No. 204)
+1 more |
licence required: False · licence fee: One-time fee set by Municipal Council from time to time (voluntary registration); replacement tag fee set by Council · leash rule: At large = off owner's premises without being on a leash or under effective care and control of a responsible person | 2026-06-05 |
| Mulgrave Town |
By-Law #08 — Dog By-Law | licence required: True · licence fee: Fees and taxes set by Council by recorded resolution (50% reduction if acquired after June 30) · leash rule: Dog must be on a leash (max 3m) when off owner's property; running at large = not restrained and not under direct control off owner's property | 2026-06-05 |
| New Glasgow Town |
Feeding of Wild Animals Bylaw
+1 more |
licence required: True · licence fee: $10 for each dog or spayed bitch; $10 for each bitch · leash rule: No dog shall run at large (unaccompanied and not under care/control of a responsible person); leash required on Samson Trail and municipal parks | 2026-06-05 |
| Oxford Town |
Animal Control By-Law
+2 more adopted 1984-05-17 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $10 each neutered male or spayed female; $15 each non-neutered/non-spayed dog; kennel $10 · leash rule: No dog shall leave the owner's premises or be at large unless under effective restraint or control of a person in charge | 2026-06-05 |
| Pictou County municipality |
Animals at Large By-Law
+1 more adopted 2011-03-07 |
leash rule: No owner shall allow animals to be at large on private or public property; 'at large' means off owner's property and not under the owner's care · fines: not less than $250 and not exceeding $10,000; default imprisonment up to 45 days (payment in lieu $500) · licence required: True | 2026-06-05 |
| Pictou Town |
Dog Control By-Law | licence required: True · licence fee: $5.00 one male or spayed dog; $4.00 each additional; $50.00 one female not spayed; $40.00 each additional unspayed female; $5.00 dog unable to reproduce; $50.00 kennel owner · leash rule: While off the owner's property the dog must be kept under control by a harness or leash; otherwise deemed running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Port Hawkesbury Town |
Dog By-Law
adopted 2013-04-02 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $25.00 each spayed/neutered dog; $50.00 each non-spayed/non-neutered dog; $15.00 tag replacement · leash rule: While off the owner's premises the dog must be kept under control by a harness or leash; tethering long enough to leave the property boundary, or being off premises without continuous restraint, is running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Queens Regional municipality |
By-law No. 3 - Dogs
adopted 2007-06-18 |
licence required: True · leash rule: Dog must not leave owner's premises unless under effective restraint or control of the owner/person in charge; otherwise deemed running at large · fines: $100-$1,000; default imprisonment up to 90 days; $50 voluntary payment within 14 days | 2026-06-05 |
| Richmond County municipality |
By-Law 070 — Dog Control | licence required: True · leash rule: Owner must keep the dog under control by a harness or leash while off the owner's property; off-property without restraint, or tethered long enough to leave the property, is running at large · fines: not less than $100 and not more than $5,000.00 (default up to 30 days); Schedule A SOTs $100 (most), $1,000 (attack/dangerous), $200 (property damage), $500 (obstruction); doubled/tripled for repeat offences | 2026-06-05 |
| Shelburne District municipality |
Dog By-law D-200 | licence required: True · leash rule: Off owner's property, dog must be under control by harness or leash; leash no more than 6 feet; otherwise deemed running at large · fines: $50.00-$5,000.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Shelburne Town |
Circus Animal By-law
+4 more |
fines: maximum not exceeding $1,000.00 · licence required: True · leash rule: Dog off owner's premises and not under effective control/restraint deemed running at large, except off-leash within designated areas | 2026-06-05 |
| St. Mary's District municipality |
Dog Control By-law
adopted 2006-07-18 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $20.00; $10.00 for neutered · leash rule: Animals kept under effective restraint/control at all times; off premises only when leashed and under control of a responsible person | 2026-06-05 |
| Stellarton Town |
Dog By-Law
adopted 2018-04-23 |
licence required: True · leash rule: In urban areas dog off owner's premises must be kept under control by harness or leash; otherwise deemed running at large (exceptions: SAR, service dog, designated off-leash park) · fines: $250.00-$5000.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Stewiacke Town |
Dog Bylaw No. 66 | licence required: True · licence fee: $15.00 for each dog · leash rule: At large = off owner's premises without being on a leash or under effective care and control of a responsible person at all times; tethering long enough to leave property = at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Trenton Town |
By-Law 20: Dog Control
+1 more |
licence required: True · leash rule: At large if off owner's property and not under constant control by leash or harness, or tethered long enough to leave property; exceptions for hunts, SAR, service dogs, designated off-leash park · fines: $250.00-$5000.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Truro Town |
Feeding of Wild Birds and Animals Bylaw No. 421
+2 more |
licence required: True · licence fee: $12.00 spayed/neutered; $16.00 each other dog · leash rule: Off owner's premises, dog must be kept under control by harness or leash, else deemed running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Victoria County municipality |
Dog Control By-law | licence required: True · licence fee: $10 spayed female; $10 neutered male; $25 un-spayed female; $25 un-neutered male · leash rule: Any dog off owner's property not under continuous restraint and control of a person is deemed running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| West Hants Regional municipality |
Dog By-law RD-002 | licence required: True · leash rule: Owner shall confine dog to owner's premises; may leave premises only under effective control of a responsible person; otherwise deemed running at large · max animals: Kennel = lot/building housing four or more domesticated animals for monetary gain (requires kennel registration) | 2026-06-05 |
| Westville Town |
Dog By-Law
adopted 2021-03-04 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $15 spayed or neutered; $100 each other dog · leash rule: In non-rural areas dog off owner's premises must be under control by harness or leash, else deemed running at large | 2026-06-05 |
| Wolfville Town |
Chapter 16 - Dog Control Bylaw | licence required: True · leash rule: Dog off owner's property not under leash/harness control is running at large; off-leash permitted only in Designated Off Leash Areas under Voice Control · fines: not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 | 2026-06-05 |
| Yarmouth District municipality |
Dog By-law D-048-22
adopted 2023-02-22 |
licence required: True · leash rule: Any dog off owner's premises without continuous restraint or control of a person is deemed running at large · fines: not less than one hundred ($100.00) dollars and not more than one thousand ($1000.00) dollars | 2026-06-05 |
| Yarmouth Town |
Circus Animal Prohibition Bylaw (TOY 48)
+3 more adopted 1997-02-13 |
licence required: True · licence fee: $50 male or female; $25 neutered male/spayed female; $10 neutered/spayed with microchip or tattoo; $250 fierce or dangerous · leash rule: Dog off owner's premises must be on a leash or harness and under continuous restraint and control of a person, else deemed running at large | 2026-06-05 |