By-Law No. GEN-2020-54 relating to animals, in accordance with the provincial Regulation respecting the application of the Act to promote the protection of persons by establishing a framework with regard to dogs, sets out the rules that apply to Kirkland dogs and their owners, as well as new rules applicable to potentially dangerous dogs.

As good canine citizens, Kirkland dogs are required to wear, at all times around their neck, their Kirkland identification tag and to observe the imposed neighborly rules which include, among others, not barking disruptively. For their part, dog owners are required to register their animal with the city, keep it on a leash when outside their property and pick up its excrements.

All dog owners must register their animal with the city and pay the registration fee of $50.  In Kirkland, the registration of a dog is valid for the life span of the animal - the dog owner is however required to advise the Town of any change in the information provided within fifteen (15) days of this change. In the event of the loss or destruction of the identification tag, a replacement tag may be obtained at a cost of five dollars ($5) at the Town Hall during regular business hours.

As a general rule, dog owners know their pet well and have a good idea of how they will react in public. It is different however for passers-by who come across the animal while on their daily walk. There are many people who are afraid of dogs, however docile and submissive their master might think they are. In consideration of others and as per municipal regulation, your dog must be kept on a leash at all times, when outside your property. In addition, the length of the leash may not exceed 1,5 meter including the handle and a dog weighing 20 kilograms or more must also wear, at all times, a halter or a harness attached to its leash.

In addition, when outside, a dog may not be allowed to roam free within municipal boundaries.  Unless it is in a fenced enclosure from which it may not get out, it must be kept on a leash, tied to a post by means of a chain or rope of metal or synthetic fibre, or otherwise contained within the limits of the property on which it is found - even that of its owner or keeper.

To allow canine citizens to run freely and socialize with other dogs, des Bénévoles Park now has a new fenced-in exercise area divided into two separate sections: one for small dogs (measuring 35 cm or less at shoulder height) and one for larger dogs (measuring more than 35 cm at shoulder height).

Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week

To provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all, dog owners who wish to use these facilities are required to abide by the rules and regulations enacted by By-Law No. GEN-2022-55 concerning Dog Parks. Owners are also responsible for ensuring that their animal comply with the rules and regulations applicable to them as set out in By-Law No. GEN-2022-55, and in particular as concerns the maximum regulatory height of 35 cm for accessing the small dog section of the park and the greater than 35 cm minimum regulatory height for accessing the section reserved for larger dogs.

To notify us of a lost, found or stray dog or to file a complaint about a dog, cat or other animal, or even to notify us about a dead or injured animal within the city, please contact the Municipal Patrol at 514 630-1234.

Note that you can also notify us online using the Requests Online system.

Since March 3, 2020, the date of entry into force of the Provincial Regulation respecting the application of the Act to promote the protection of persons by establishing a framework with regard to dogs adopted by the Quebec government, new rules apply throughout the province to potentially dangerous dogs.  The government has also entrusted municipalities with the responsibility of applying this provincial regulation within their respective territories.

In Kirkland, the rules applicable to potentially dangerous dogs are set out in municipal By Law No. GEN-2020-54 relating to animals.

It is not the breed or size of a dog that makes it potentially dangerous, but its behavior. The owner or custodian of a dog is responsible for ensuring that his or her animal behaves properly and is properly equipped, to prevent the municipality from having to intervene to enforce the measures set out in the by-law.

As soon as the Town is notified that a dog has attacked, bitten or shown signs of aggression towards a person or domestic animal, an investigation process is automatically triggered. As soon as the investigation reveals reasonable grounds to believe that the dog constitutes a risk for public health or safety, it must undergo a behavioral evaluation by a veterinarian, who will establish its level of dangerousness, as the municipality does not hold such expertise.

In such a case, the Town :

• will require that the dog be examined by a veterinarian to assess its condition and dangerousness;
• will issue temporary orders to the dog’s owner or custodian to comply with specific measures pending the veterinarian’s examination report

Veterinary Evaluation Process

This is a process independent of the Town, carried out by a veterinarian. The dog’s behavioral assessment can be carried out regardless of its breed or the severity of the incident. This evaluation is mandatory and helps determine the dog’s level of dangerousness.

The owner or custodian of the dog is responsible for the cost of the veterinarian’s evaluation. Fees may vary from one veterinarian to another, and a 15% administration fee will apply. The choice of veterinarian and the date of the evaluation are determined by the Town.

The veterinarian will usually ask the dog’s owner or custodian to be present during the evaluation. He or she may also ask the owner or custodian to fill out a form beforehand.

Failure to attend the scheduled appointment will result in a new appointment being scheduled and a cancellation fee being charged. The dog may also be seized and detained until the next behavioral assessment.

Pending a behavioral assessment, the owner or custodian of the dog to be assessed must comply with the following orders, among others:

• The dog must wear a basket muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 1.25 metre (4 feet) when in a public place or outside its fenced backyard to contain it;
• The dog may not be in the presence of a child aged 10 or under without the constant supervision of a person aged 18 or over;
• The dog may not be allowed at dog parks.
• Failure to comply with any of these orders may result in substantial penalties for the owner or custodian of the dog.

Dogs subject to an order of conditions

Following receipt of the veterinarian’s report, the Town may, as the case may be :

• issue temporary or permanent orders requiring the owner or custodian of a dog to comply with one or more measures;
• declare a dog potentially dangerous, in addition to issuing orders.

The basic conditions usually imposed are as follows:

• The dog must wear a basket muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 1.25 metre (4 feet) when in a public place or outside its fenced backyard to contain it;
• The dog may not be in the presence of a child aged 10 or under without the constant supervision of a person aged 18 or over;
• The dog may not be allowed at dog parks;
• Any other personalized measure designed to reduce the risk that the dog constitutes.

Dogs declared potentially dangerous

Depending on the veterinarian’s recommendations, the Town may also declare a dog to be potentially dangerous.

The owner or custodian of a dog declared potentially dangerous must usually comply with the following conditions:

• The dog must wear a basket muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 1.25 metre (4 feet) when in a public place or outside its fenced backyard to contain it;
• The dog may not be in the presence of a child aged 10 or under without the constant supervision of a person aged 18 or over;
• The dog is not allowed at dog parks;
• The dog must have a rabies vaccination status up to date at all times, be spayed or neutered and microchipped;
• The dog and its owner or custodian may be required to take a dog training and obedience course;
• The dog’s owner or custodian must post a sign on his or her property bearing the words "Attention, chien dangereux" ("Beware, dangerous dog");
• Any other personalized measure designed to reduce the risk that the dog constitutes.

At all times, the Town’s objective remains to protect its population from any dog that may constitute a risk to public health or safety.

A dog declared potentially dangerous to public health and safety may, in extreme cases, be ordered euthanized. Usually, this involves a situation where the dog has bitten or attacked a person, causing death or serious injury. A serious injury is any physical injury that can lead to death or that results in serious physical consequences.