No specific dog breed will be declared as dangerous anywhere in Clearwater County under newly-passed bylaw amendments.

Council revisited its Animal Control Bylaw, aiming to consolidate county regulations with those of the newly amalgamated hamlet of Caroline.

During deliberations, council considered a motion from Coun. Bryan Cermak to remove sections of the former Caroline bylaw that defined aggressive dogs and aggressive dog behaviour.

Instead, enforcement or other measures involving aggressive dogs in the county will fall under the provincial Dangerous Dogs Act.

The provincial legislation largely leaves it to justices to determine whether a dog is dangerous or not under proper control.

Section 2 of the act states: “A justice may take cognizance of a complaint that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control and if it appears to the justice that the dog is dangerous.”

The amendments also remove provisions from the former village bylaw dealing with excessive barking and urination and defecation on private property.

For example, the previous bylaw stated that dog owners “shall ensure it does not bark in a manner that is reasonably likely to annoy or disturb the peace of others.”

The amended bylaw also outlines the number of dogs and cats permitted on different types of property:

• A maximum of three dogs per dwelling unit on residential land
• A maximum of three dogs on industrial or commercial land
• A maximum of five dogs on agricultural land
• A maximum of three cats per dwelling unit on residential land
• No maximum number of cats on agricultural land

The bylaw also removes the requirement to license dogs and cats.

Residents requiring space for additional dogs, such as breeders or kennel operators, can apply for a permit from the county.

In 2025, county administration reported 22 impounded dogs, seven fines issued and 77 complaints involving aggressive animals.

The amendments were passed at council’s regular meeting Nov. 10.