Do I need a dog licence? What are the leash rules?

Question

Accepted Answer

In the Town of Gatineau, Quebec, licence required: True; leash rule: Dogs on public terrain must be on leash max 1.85 m; dogs over 20 kg must use licou or harness.; max animals: max 4 dogs or 4 cats or combination not exceeding 4 total, plus max 1 miniature pig, per housing unit; does not apply to non-urban sectors; fines: $300–$1,000 (first offence, natural person); $500–$2,000 (first offence, legal person); $600–$2,000 (repeat, natural person); $1,000–$4,000 (repeat, legal person); $500–$1,500/$1,000–$3,000 for leash/at-large violations (art. 91.0.1); up to $10,000/$20,000 for dangerous-dog non-compliance (art. 91.2). Source: Règlement numéro 183-2005 concernant la garde, le contrôle et le soin des animaux, verified 2026-06-14.

licence required	True	art. 2: "sans s'être procurée une licence conformément à la présente section"
leash rule	Dogs on public terrain must be on leash max 1.85 m; dogs over 20 kg must use licou or harness.	art. 70, par. 2.1° et 2.2°
max animals	max 4 dogs or 4 cats or combination not exceeding 4 total, plus max 1 miniature pig, per housing unit; does not apply to non-urban sectors	art. 21
fine range	$300–$1,000 (first offence, natural person); $500–$2,000 (first offence, legal person); $600–$2,000 (repeat, natural person); $1,000–$4,000 (repeat, legal person); $500–$1,500/$1,000–$3,000 for leash/at-large violations (art. 91.0.1); up to $10,000/$20,000 for dangerous-dog non-compliance (art. 91.2)	art. 91 (Règlement numéro 183-7-2016); art. 91.0.1 (Règlement numéro 183-21-2023); art. 91.2 (Règlement numéro 183-13-2020)

Dogs & animal control — Gatineau, Quebec