The Borough will increase its watch over dog owners

The Verdun Borough will be keeping a closer watch over dog owners during the next few weeks, in order to ensure that the current regulations are being obeyed. Surveillance du territoire patrollers and officers will consequently be out in force to a greater extent in order to issue statements of offence to dog owners contravening the bylaw.

For example, residents who let their dogs walk through parks and other prohibited public places as well as those who don't immediately pick up their pet's droppings will be liable to a fine ranging from $100 to $1,000, plus charges, for the first offence, and from $200 to $2,000, plus charges, in the case of a repeat offence within a period of 24 months.

It is important to bear in mind that under Bylaw 1414 on looking after animals, even animals on a leash—aside from guide dogs—are not allowed in such public places as parks, playgrounds, public pools, school yards or medians nor within 15 metres of the waterfront and the Aqueduct canal. However, dogs on a leash (maximum length of 1.85 m) are allowed on all marked out walking paths and bicycle paths, including those located within the protected woodlands of the L’Île-des-Sœurs neighbourhood.

Nevertheless, a dog that is outside the limits of its owner's property must be kept on a leash of no longer than 1.85 m. The only places where dogs may roam freely without a leash are the dog runs located in Arthur-Therrien and de la Fontaine parks. Please note that membership in the associations that are responsible for these grounds is required, in order to have access to these dog runs.

The obligations of a dog owner are listed in articles 9.11 - 10.11 of Bylaw 1414 on looking after animals. The main clauses of this bylaw may, in fact, be consulted on the Borough's website (ville.montreal.qc.ca/verdun), in the Citizen Services section, under Rules and Regulations, as well as in the Resident's Handbook 2007-2008, on pages 21 and 22. If you don't have your copy, this handbook may be found on the website by clicking on the Citizen's Handbook icon, on the left-hand side. As for the amount of the fines, these may be obtained by phoning the Accès Verdun office at 514 765-7000 or by doing a search, with "dog" or "chien", in the municipal databank on Ville de Montréal's web portal, in the Accès Montréal Web section.