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Responsible Pet Ownership By-law Review

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Consultation has concluded.

The Responsible Pet Ownership By-law aims to keep both pets and the community safe. The City is proposing to update the by-law to ensure that pets are properly cared for and not placed in at-risk scenarios. Some issues the bylaw updates intend to address include the use of animal traps in Winnipeg, Dangerous Dog designations, requirements for spaying or neutering, breeding, and exotic animals.

The Responsible Pet Ownership By-law aims to keep both pets and the community safe. The City is proposing to update the by-law to ensure that pets are properly cared for and not placed in at-risk scenarios. Some issues the bylaw updates intend to address include the use of animal traps in Winnipeg, Dangerous Dog designations, requirements for spaying or neutering, breeding, and exotic animals.

Consultation has concluded.

  • Council decision

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    Recommendations to update the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law were presented to Council on January 27, 2022 and April 28, 2022. Council approved recommendations regarding:

    1. Adherence to spay/neuter
    2. Breeding of dogs and cats
    3. Outdoor animal trapping
    4. Wildlife proofing and co-existence techniques
    5. Animal safety regarding pets left unattended in vehicles and biking with dogs
    6. Dog daycare standards
    7. At-risk pets
    8. Dangerous dogs


    Council did not approve recommendations regarding:

    1. Breed neutrality
    2. Urban chicken keeping
    3. Exotic animals


    Animal Services will prepare an education campaign to increase awareness about the approved recommendations and changes to the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law. Thank you to all the residents and stakeholders who participated in the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law Review project.

  • Phase 2 public engagement summary now available

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    The public engagement summary and appendices are now available and provide an overview of the feedback collected for Phase 2 of the project. Please visit the Document Library to view the public engagement summary. Public feedback helped Animal Services develop recommendations to update the Responsible Pet Ownership by-law.

    Animal Services will be presenting recommendations to the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services, and Parks on April 11, 2022 regarding:

    1. At-risk pets
    2. Dangerous dogs
    3. Breed neutrality
    4. Urban chicken keeping


    If you would like to appear as a delegation regarding the above topics, please contact the City Clerk's Department by noon on April 7, 2022.

    Animal services will not be presenting recommendations regarding:

    1. Exotic animals


    Animal Services will be requesting an extension regarding the topic of exotic animals for more time to develop recommendations.

  • Phase 2 public engagement closed

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    Thank you to all who participated in Phase 2 of public engagement. Public engagement opportunities were available from January 20 to February 13, 2022. Phase 2 included an online survey and stakeholder working group meetings. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online.

  • Phase 2 engagement begins

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    Based on feedback from the first phase, it was determined that additional engagement was required on exotic animals and breed-specific legislation. Take the survey to share your thoughts on criteria and approaches to regulating exotic animals in Winnipeg, as well as urban chicken keeping and breed-specific legislation.

    The online survey is available until February 13, 2022.

    The Animal Services Agency will also continue to meet with stakeholders representing the pet industry and animal welfare organizations to gather feedback.

    Feedback received will help inform recommendations on exotic animals, urban chicken keeping, and breed-specific legislation that will be presented to Council in spring 2022 for its consideration.

  • Public engagement summary now available

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    The public engagement summary and appendices are now available and provide an overview of the feedback collected for Phase 1 of the project. Please visit the Document Library to view the public engagement summary. Public feedback helped Animal Services develop recommendations to update the Responsible Pet Ownership by-law.

    Animal Services will be presenting recommendations to the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services, and Parks on January 14, 2022 regarding:

    1. Adherence to spay/neuter
    2. Breeding of dogs and cats
    3. Outdoor animal trapping
    4. Wildlife proofing and co-existence techniques
    5. Animal safety regarding pets left unattended in vehicles and biking with dogs
    6. Dog daycare standards


    If you would like to appear as a delegation regarding the above topics, please contact the City Clerk's Department by noon on January 13, 2022.

    Animal Services will be presenting recommendations to the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services, and Parks in spring 2022 on:

    1. Dangerous dogs
    2. Guard dogs
    3. Breed-specific legislation
    4. Exotic animals


    Information regarding appearing as a delegation regarding the above topics will be provided when recommendations are ready this spring. The extension will allow for more research and public engagement to be conducted before developing recommendations.

  • Extension granted

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    Animal Services will be presenting recommendations to Council this winter to update the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law regarding:

    1. Adherence to spay/neuter
    2. Breeding of dogs and cats
    3. Outdoor animal trapping
    4. Wildlife proofing and co-existence techniques
    5. Animal safety regarding pets left unattended in vehicles and biking with dogs
    6. Dog daycare standards


    The recommendations and a summary of the public engagement process will be publicly available this winter in advance of the Council meeting.

    Animal Services will be presenting recommendations to Council in spring 2022 on dangerous dogs, guard dogs, breed-specific legislation and exotic animals. The extension will allow for more research and public engagement to be conducted before developing recommendations.

    Please subscribe to project updates to stay informed about upcoming public engagement opportunities.

  • Public engagement closes

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    Thank you to all who submitted input for the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law Review. Feedback was collected from August 10 to September 7, 2021. We are currently reviewing the feedback. Subscribe to project updates to stay informed.

  • Public engagement begins

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    The City is reaching out to stakeholder organizations to get feedback on the proposed updates to the by-law. The objectives are to:

    • Inform stakeholders about current pet ownership issues
    • Explain the need to update the by-law
    • Share proposed ideas
    • Gather feedback from stakeholders


    Stakeholder feedback will be used to refine the proposed ideas, which will be presented to Council in winter 2021/22.

    Anyone else who has feedback can submit comments through email before September 7 RPObylaw@winnipeg.ca.