Responsible Pet Ownership By-law updates

Intact Pet Licence

All dogs and cats over 6 months of age require a pet licence. However, additional requirements are in place to have a valid intact pet licence including active veterinarian care and a history of responsible pet ownership.

Dangerous Dog Licence

Additional requirements have been added to maintain a valid Dangerous Dog License. Enhancements include harness use, training, restrictions regarding prolonged outdoor housing and attendance at dog daycares and off leash areas.  All attacks are reviewed when determining whether a dog should be designated as Dangerous.

Community Cats

Trap, Neuter, Return, and sheltering is allowed while following guidelines established by Animal Services.

Unlicensed dogs and cats impounded at animal shelters

Animal shelters are authorized to spay/neuter impounded unlicensed stray dogs and cats prior to release to an owner.

Animal shelters are also authorized to spay/neuter any dog or cat impounded twice in a lifetime, regardless of pet licence status.

Feeding wildlife

Feeding of wildlife is prohibited except birds. Feeding wildlife can lead to increased populations of urban wildlife and human/wildlife conflict.

Trapping wildlife

The outdoor use of body hold traps is prohibited. Body hold traps can cause injury or death to ensnared animals. They can also kill and injure non-target animals and people.

Using glue traps outdoors

The outdoor use of glue traps is prohibited. Glue traps can cause injury or death to ensnared animals. They can also kill and injure non-target animals such as birds.

Live release traps

Live trap users are required to check traps at least once per day. Live trap users are required to release or humanely euthanize an entrapped animal. To increase survivability, live trap users are recommended to release entrapped animals in their neighborhood in a survivable green space.

Using bait outdoors

The outdoor use of rodenticide may only be conducted by licensed pest control companies or governmental agencies.

Breeding dogs and cats

Dog and cat owners who reside in Winnipeg and intend to use a specific female for breeding purposes need a Breeding Permit. Permit requirements include active veterinary care and a history of responsible pet ownership.

Dog daycare requirements

A dog daycare is a facility that typically provides short-term care and play opportunities for dogs in return for payment for the activity/booking. Standards for dog daycares have been established.

Housing dogs outdoors

A dog may not be tethered, chained or housed outdoors in a dog house, storage shed, or similar structure or kept outdoors for prolonged periods of time. Dogs kept outdoors in an urban city have more neighbourhood impact including barking and are exposed to more fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, the heat, and the cold. Dogs left in yards over time can become territorial, aggressive, and are subject to poisoning, theft, and attacks from predators such as coyotes.

Supervision of dogs placed outside temporarily is also required. This means a resident is responsive to a dog and any attendance by enforcement officers.

Animals in hot and cold vehicles

Residents are prohibited from leaving dogs, cats, and other companion animals unattended in vehicles when the outside temperature is at or warmer than 22°C or at colder than -10°C. This doesn’t apply to a running vehicle with working air-conditioning or heating system. However, idling of vehicles is discouraged.

Cycling with a dog

Cycling with a dog tethered to the bicycle or similar device is prohibited when the temperature is 22°C or above. Biking with a dog on a warm summer day can be dangerous. Dogs can suffer heat exhaustion and burnt pads.

'At Risk' category

Irresponsible pet ownership and care can lead to problematic pets and risk. The ‘At Risk’ category is for pets owned by irresponsible pet owners. This category allows requirements to be placed on a pet owner to proactively improve community and pet health and safety.