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Off leash dog areas and parks - Frequently asked questions

Why is the City reviewing off-leash areas?

Calgary's off-leash dog areas are all within multi-use parks, with no dedicated dog-only parks except for a privately leased site near Elliston Park. With the city's human and canine populations growing rapidly, there's been an increase in the use of these parks for various activities.

What will be reviewed?

The City of Calgary is reviewing how these public spaces are managed. They want to know what citizens like and dislike about these areas. Some topics under review include:

  • Location and accessibility of existing off-leash areas.
  • Creating new off-leash areas in established communities.
  • Setting minimum standards and providing facilities for successful off-leash dog areas.

Does my dog need to be on a leash in parks and other public spaces?

The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006  states that dogs must be under their owner's control at all times to ensure safety for both the dog and the public. Dogs running "at large" without supervision, tied up, and left unattended are considered unsafe, resulting in a $100 fine.

In public spaces not designated as off-leash areas, dogs must be on a leash to protect everyone. Even on pathways within off-leash areas, dogs must be leashed with a maximum length of two meters to prevent accidents and protect them from potential hazards like cars or unfriendly animals.

While off-leash areas are available for dogs to enjoy, they still need to be under control by their owners. This means they must respond to voice, sound, or visual commands. Failure to control a dog in an off-leash area incurs a $100 fine.

For safety and health reasons, dogs are not allowed in certain areas, such as school grounds, playgrounds, sports fields, or swimming areas, at any time.

Contact

To contact Animal & Bylaw Services for general information, questions or to report a bylaw infraction, please call 3-1-1 (from within Calgary) or 403-268-CITY (2489) (from outside Calgary).

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