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Following a motion presented at City Council on January 29, 2025, City Administration has begun a review of the Regina Animal Bylaw to ensure it aligns with best practices and addresses residents’ expectations for animal licensing and control.
The Bylaw addresses a wide range of topics. The review is being conducted in phases to ensure each area receives thoughtful attention and is in collaboration with a broad group of interested and impacted parties, including the public, pet owners, veterinarians, the Regina Humane Society, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina Police Service and Canada Post.
The first phase of the review focused specifically on regulations related to aggressive dogs. This included an online survey. Administration also hosted a pop-up event to gather responses for it at the I Love Regina Day festivities on August 23. The online survey was hosted on Be Heard, the City's digital engagement platform, from August 23 to October 3, 2025. It included 12 questions and 12,968 submissions were received. You can read the findings from those surveys here.
Future phases will explore additional topics identified as priorities by Administration, community and partner organizations.
Following a motion presented at City Council on January 29, 2025, City Administration has begun a review of the Regina Animal Bylaw to ensure it aligns with best practices and addresses residents’ expectations for animal licensing and control.
The Bylaw addresses a wide range of topics. The review is being conducted in phases to ensure each area receives thoughtful attention and is in collaboration with a broad group of interested and impacted parties, including the public, pet owners, veterinarians, the Regina Humane Society, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina Police Service and Canada Post.
The first phase of the review focused specifically on regulations related to aggressive dogs. This included an online survey. Administration also hosted a pop-up event to gather responses for it at the I Love Regina Day festivities on August 23. The online survey was hosted on Be Heard, the City's digital engagement platform, from August 23 to October 3, 2025. It included 12 questions and 12,968 submissions were received. You can read the findings from those surveys here.
Future phases will explore additional topics identified as priorities by Administration, community and partner organizations.
City Council unanimously approved amendments to The Regina Animal Bylaw, 2009 (Bylaw No. 2009-44)on March 25, 2026. The amendments were read at Council and made official on April 22, 2026. The changes allow for stricter rules around dangerous dogs and leashing and give more powerforenforcement.
The initial focus on aggressive dogs was driven by a noticeable increase in incidents involving animal aggression and bites within the city. In response, the review aimed to support the Regina Humane Society (RHS) in managing these cases more effectively and to address public safety concerns in a timely and responsible manner.
The amendments include allowing for faster action to respond to dangerous animals, stricter rules around leashing, owner accountability, higher fines and updated animalholding times— which will help RHS address risks before they escalate, as the organization is responsible for enforcing the bylaw.
More specifics:
Dogs in public must now be always leashed, with no allowance for verbal leashing, unless you're in an off-leash dog park
Pet owners are required to provide ID and/or their animal’s license to animal protection officers when requested, making them accountable for their animals' behaviour
The City can ask for a dangerous dog order in court to impose conditions on an animal involved in a bite attack, including seizure, while waiting for charges to be heard by a judge
Penalties have been increased to better align with other Canadian municipalities, for example:
Allowing an animal to be at large: $150, $250, $350
Failure to accompany an animal in an off-leash dog park: $50, $100, $150
Allowing a dangerous animal or animal displaying aggressive behaviour in an off-leash dog park: $200, $300, $400
Failure to provide identification to a designated officer: $100, $150, $200
Failure to report an animal bite: $150, $250, $350
Council also passed a directive to continue reviewing the bylaw. The second phase will look at rules around cats and continue to consider changes to the City’s licensing regime and other broader changes to the Regina Animal Bylaw to serve the community.
Consultation is expected to take place this year with Administration returning to Council by the end of 2027 with more recommendations.
City Council unanimously approved amendments to The Regina Animal Bylaw, 2009 (Bylaw No. 2009-44)on March 25, 2026. The amendments were read at Council and made official on April 22, 2026. The changes allow for stricter rules around dangerous dogs and leashing and give more powerforenforcement.
The initial focus on aggressive dogs was driven by a noticeable increase in incidents involving animal aggression and bites within the city. In response, the review aimed to support the Regina Humane Society (RHS) in managing these cases more effectively and to address public safety concerns in a timely and responsible manner.
The amendments include allowing for faster action to respond to dangerous animals, stricter rules around leashing, owner accountability, higher fines and updated animalholding times— which will help RHS address risks before they escalate, as the organization is responsible for enforcing the bylaw.
More specifics:
Dogs in public must now be always leashed, with no allowance for verbal leashing, unless you're in an off-leash dog park
Pet owners are required to provide ID and/or their animal’s license to animal protection officers when requested, making them accountable for their animals' behaviour
The City can ask for a dangerous dog order in court to impose conditions on an animal involved in a bite attack, including seizure, while waiting for charges to be heard by a judge
Penalties have been increased to better align with other Canadian municipalities, for example:
Allowing an animal to be at large: $150, $250, $350
Failure to accompany an animal in an off-leash dog park: $50, $100, $150
Allowing a dangerous animal or animal displaying aggressive behaviour in an off-leash dog park: $200, $300, $400
Failure to provide identification to a designated officer: $100, $150, $200
Failure to report an animal bite: $150, $250, $350
Council also passed a directive to continue reviewing the bylaw. The second phase will look at rules around cats and continue to consider changes to the City’s licensing regime and other broader changes to the Regina Animal Bylaw to serve the community.
Consultation is expected to take place this year with Administration returning to Council by the end of 2027 with more recommendations.
The Animal Bylaw addresses a wide range of topics. The review is being conducted in phases to ensure each area receives thoughtful attention. Phase 1 focuses specifically on regulations related to aggressive dogs. Future phases will explore additional topics identified as priorities by administration, community and partner organizations.
Survey questions were developed based on input received through early engagement, feedback from Council discussions and reviews of practices in other municipalities. These questions are intended to guide discussion and gather insight. They do not represent final recommendations.
The City is conducting this review in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders, including the general public, pet owners, veterinarians, the Regina Humane Society, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina Police Service and Canada Post.
Recommendations will be informed by best practices and community feedback, with the goal of enhancing animal control and safety across the city.
The Animal Bylaw addresses a wide range of topics. The review is being conducted in phases to ensure each area receives thoughtful attention. Phase 1 focuses specifically on regulations related to aggressive dogs. Future phases will explore additional topics identified as priorities by administration, community and partner organizations.
Survey questions were developed based on input received through early engagement, feedback from Council discussions and reviews of practices in other municipalities. These questions are intended to guide discussion and gather insight. They do not represent final recommendations.
The City is conducting this review in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders, including the general public, pet owners, veterinarians, the Regina Humane Society, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina Police Service and Canada Post.
Recommendations will be informed by best practices and community feedback, with the goal of enhancing animal control and safety across the city.
With 14,000 cat and dog licences issued by the City of Regina each year, it's important to have regulations that support a responsible and respectful community for both residents and pets.
Across Canada, municipalities have been modernizing their animal bylaws to address concerns related to aggressive/dangerous dogs, enhanced enforcement measures, animal wellness and owner responsibilities. The Animal Bylaw is being reviewed to identify potential amendments. The Bylaw updates will be presented to Council for consideration and approval.
City Administration seeks to consult with stakeholders and the broader community to develop updated regulations.
With 14,000 cat and dog licences issued by the City of Regina each year, it's important to have regulations that support a responsible and respectful community for both residents and pets.
Across Canada, municipalities have been modernizing their animal bylaws to address concerns related to aggressive/dangerous dogs, enhanced enforcement measures, animal wellness and owner responsibilities. The Animal Bylaw is being reviewed to identify potential amendments. The Bylaw updates will be presented to Council for consideration and approval.
City Administration seeks to consult with stakeholders and the broader community to develop updated regulations.
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