Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw appeals

The new Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 47M2021 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

The Licence and Community Standards Appeal Board (LCSAB) will hear and decide appeals made under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, including appeals of vicious and nuisance animal designations and those related to urban livestock. 

Under recent changes to LCSAB Bylaw 50M2011, Council appoints and designates two or more members of the LCSAB with animal health, behaviour and behaviour rehabilitation expertise to hear appeals of decisions made under the new Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw. These members will be veterinarians and certified professional dog trainers. 

Appeals related to decisions made under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 47M2021 must be heard by a panel of the LCSAB which includes at least one veterinarian, and one certified professional dog trainer. Members of Council may not be appointed to the Licence and Community Standards Appeal Board.

Individuals appointed for the purpose of providing animal behaviour expertise as board members of the Licence and Community Standards Appeal Board (designated Responsible Pet Ownership members) are required to have appropriate experience and certification, including an understanding of the fundamental importance of public safety.

Designated Responsible Pet Ownership members of the Board must:

• be current or former members of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association in good standing (either working or retired veterinarians); and/or,
• be dog trainers with one of the following certifications from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers:
  • CPDT-KA indicates that a dog trainer has passed a comprehensive exam and has at least 300 hours of dog training experience.
  • CPDT-KSA indicates that a dog trainer has passed a comprehensive exam and an objective skills-based assessment along with at least 300 hours of dog training experience
  • CBCC-KA indicates that a dog behavior consultant has passed a comprehensive exam on behavior modification and has at least 300 hours of dog behavior consulting experience.

The Board may hear appeals under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw respecting the following decisions on permits, licences, conditions, and designations:

• the decision to refuse to issue or renew a licence or permit or to revoke such a licence or permit pursuant to sections 5, 10, 31, 32, 34, and 39 of the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw;
• the decision to designate an Animal as a Nuisance Animal or the denial of an application to lift a Nuisance Animal designation;
• the decision to designate an Animal as a Vicious Animal;
• a decision to impose a condition on the owner of an Animal or a licence or permit holder pursuant to:
  • section 47(1) or 47(3) (Nuisance Animal Conditions imposed by the Chief Bylaw Officer);
  • section 57(1) or 57(3) (Vicious Animal Conditions imposed by the Chief Bylaw Officer); or
  • section 33 (conditions on Livestock licences and permits).

The Board cannot remove or vary conditions that are imposed on the Owner of an Animal under the provisions of the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw except for those listed above and identified as subject to appeal in section 6.1(1) of the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 47M2021.

Only a person who is the owner of the Animal that is the subject of the decision may seek an appeal pursuant to the Bylaw.

Updates to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw

Pet licences and responsible pet ownership