Dog complaints can be directed to the Dog Control Officer at (306) 821-0445.  You can also call the County Office at (780) 846-2244 or (780) 853-5492 for assistance.

The County of Vermilion River has adopted a new dog control bylaw that came into effect May 1, 2009. 

As a responsible pet owner, you know that your dog requires care and attention in order to lead a happy and healthy life. You also want to ensure that your dog doesn’t run loose to keep him safe from harm or create problems for your neighbours.

In response to concerns raised by County residents, Council has implemented a stricter dog control bylaw that addresses nuisance barking, places limits on the numbers of dogs at one residence, limits certain breeds, addresses vicious dogs and sets penalties for contravention of the regulations. Council strongly encourages voluntary compliance with the bylaw however a Bylaw Enforcement Officer has been retained to enforce the regulations.

Basic Rules:
In order to comply with the bylaw we ask pet owners to ensure that:
• they own no more than:
  2 dogs (over the age of 6 months) if they reside in a Hamlet or multi-lot residential subdivision (country residential development)
   4 dogs (over the age of 6 months) if they reside in rural agricultural areas

A license tag must be obtained from the Administration Office for any dog over the age of 3 months – $50 for the lifetime of the dog (tags are not transferrable).      The Application for Dog License is available here.

Dogs must be on a leash when outside of the owners property.

Breaking the Rules
Penalties are imposed on the owner of a dog for not carrying out their responsibilities, and are considered a separate offence if they are a result of different dogs belonging to the same owner. If the owner of a dog fails to obey the rules outlined in the dog control bylaw, they can be subject to penalties ranging from $100.00 up to $2,000.00 for each offence. Penalties increase for each subsequent offence.

Vicious Dogs
Certain breeds of dogs are listed a vicious dogs in the bylaw: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, Rottweiler or any dog of mixed breeding, which can be identified through it physical characteristics as a dog partially of the above mentioned breeds or kinds by a Bylaw Enforcement Officer. In addition, any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without provocation any person or animal can be deemed a vicious dog.

An owner of two or more restricted or vicious dogs, over the age of six months, is guilty of an offence under the bylaw. The bylaw contains specific regulations and penalties that apply to restricted and vicious dogs.

Council wishes to provide this information to our citizens to allow voluntary compliance. Click here to view the entire Dog Control Bylaw No. 09-12.