Cypress County Bylaw 2026/15 (Responsible Animal Ownership) — full text, Cypress County, Alberta

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot e6d211f69286 · verified 2026-09-27 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 1 of 10 A Bylaw of Cypress County in the Province of Alberta to provide for the regulation and control of animals within the County. WHEREAS Section 7, 8, and 9 of the Municipal Government Act, Chapter M-26 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta, and amendments thereto, allows Council to pass bylaws respecting the safety, health and welfare of people and the protection of people and property; and WHEREAS the Council of Cypress County deems it necessary to regulate and control animals that may create a nuisance; and NOW THEREFORE, the Council of Cypress County, in the Province of Alberta, duly assembled, hereby enacts as follows: 1. PURPOSE AND TITLE 1.1. This bylaw shall be known as the "Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw". 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1. "Animal" means any mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian, but does not include felines or humans. 2.2. "Animal Control Officer" means a Bylaw Enforcement Officer employed by Cypress County, a Peace Officer, or a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 2.3. "Animal Control Shelter" means a facility designated by the County for the housing of animals. 2.4. "At-Large" means where an animal is found on public property or at a property other than the Owner's property and/or the animal is not properly restrained. 2.5. "Chief Administrative Officer" means the person appointed as Cypress County's Chief Administrative Officer, or their authorized delegate, pursuant to the Municipal Government Act. 2.6. "Controlled Confinement" means the confinement of an animal in a pen, cage, or building or securely tethered in a manner that will not allow the animal to harm or harass any person or animal. 2.7. "Coop" means a fully enclosed weatherproof structure and attached outdoor enclosure used for the keeping of chickens. 2.8. "Council" means the Council of Cypress County. 2.9. "County" means Cypress County. 2.10. "Damage to Property" means damage to property other than the owner's property. 2.11. "Dog" includes a male dog, a neutered male dog, a female dog and a spayed female dog. 2.12. "Hen" means a domesticated female chicken. 2.13. "Land Use Bylaw" means Cypress County Bylaw 2022/09 being the Land Use Bylaw, as amended or replaced from time to time. 2.14. "Livestock" means: 2.14.1. A horse, mule, donkey, swine, emu, ostrich, camel, llama, alpaca, sheep or goat; or 2.14.2. Domesticated reared or kept deer, reindeer, moose, elk or bison; or 2.14.3. Farm bred fur bearing animal(s) including foxes or mink; or 2.14.4. Animals of the bovine species; or 2.14.5. Animals of the avian species including turkey, ducks, geese, or pheasants; and 2.14.6. All other animals that are kept for agricultural purposes, but does not include dogs, or other domesticated household pets. BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 2 of 10 2.15. "Muzzle" means a device of sufficient strength placed over an animal's mouth to prevent it from biting. 2.16. "Outdoor Enclosure" means a securely enclosed area for animals to roam. 2.17. "Owner" means: 2.17.1. a person who has the care, charge, custody, possession or control of an animal; or 2.17.2. a person who owns or who claims proprietary interest in an animal; or 2.17.3. a person who harbours, suffers, or permits an animal to be present on any property owned, occupied or leased by them or which is otherwise under their control; or 2.17.4. a person who claims and receives a dog from the custody of the Animal Shelter or a Peace Officer; or 2.17.5. a person who operates an Animal Adoption Program and who has care, charge, custody, possession or control of an animal. 2.18. "Owner's Property" means any property in which the Owner of an animal has a legal or equitable interest or over which the Owner of an animal has been given the control or use of, by the legal or equitable owner of property, and which property shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, land, buildings and vehicles. 2.19. "Permitted Leash" means a leash adequate to control the dog to which it is attached, and which leash shall not exceed three (3) metres in length. 2.20. "Properly Restrained" means a dog is: 2.20.1. Being carried by a person capable of restraining the size and strength of the dog; or 2.20.2. Being confined in a kennel or like container, properly latched or locked; or 2.20.3. Being restrained by a person capable of restraining the size and strength of the dog by means of a permitted leash attached to a choke chain, collar or harness attached to the dog. 2.21. "Peace Officer" means a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a Peace Officer appointed pursuant to the Alberta Peace Officer Act, or a Bylaw Enforcement Officer employed by Cypress County. 2.22. "Permitted Property" means private property upon which the Owner of an animal has the express permission of the Owner of that property to allow the animal to be at large. 2.23. "Rooster" means a domesticated male chicken. 2.24. "Secure Enclosure" means a building, cage or fenced area of such construction which will not allow a confined animal to escape from that enclosure. 2.25. "Serious Wound" means an injury to a human or an animal resulting from the action of an animal that causes the skin to be broken or flesh to be torn and where immediate medical assistance is required. 2.26. "Small Animal Breeding and Boarding" has the same meaning in accordance with the Cypress County Land Use Bylaw 2022/09, as amended from time to time. 2.27. "Violation Ticket" means a ticket issued pursuant to Part 2 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act, RSA 2000, Chapter P-21.5, as amended and regulations thereunder. 2.28. "Violation Tag" means a notice or tag in a form as approved by the Chief Administrative Officer, or designate, issued by the County allowing a voluntary payment option of a fine established under this Bylaw. BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 3 of 10 3. RESPONSIBILITY OF ANIMAL OWNERS 3.1. The Owner of an animal shall ensure: 3.1.1. That an animal has adequate food and water; and 3.1.2. To provide an animal with adequate care when an animal is ill or wounded; and 3.1.3. To provide an animal with reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold; and 3.1.4. To provide an animal with adequate shelter, ventilation and space; and 3.1.5. That a dog is properly contained or restrained within a property. 3.2. An Owner shall not permit an animal to be at large. 3.3. An Owner shall not permit an animal to make noise thereby disturbing the quiet or repose of any person. 3.4. An Owner shall not permit an animal to cause damage to property within the County. 3.5. An Owner shall not permit a dog in an area where the County has posted a sign which prohibits the presence of dogs, regardless of if the dog is at large or not. 3.6. An Owner of an animal shall not permit an animal to: 3.6.1. Bite, attack, threaten, harass, bark at, chase or injure any person; and 3.6.2. Cause the death of any person; and 3.6.3. Bite, attack, threaten, harass at, bark at, chase, or injure any domesticated bird, reptile, amphibian or mammal; and 3.6.4. Cause the death of any domesticated bird, reptile, amphibian or mammal; and 3.6.5. Chase a vehicle. 3.7. The Owner of an animal that defecates on property, which is not the Owner's property, shall cause such defecation to be removed immediately and disposed of in a sanitary manner. 3.8. No person shall permit an animal suffering from a communicable disease to be in any public space or keep the animal in close contact or proximity of any other animal free of such disease. 3.9. No person shall interfere with, hinder, or impede a Peace Officer in the performance of any duty authorized by this Bylaw. 3.10. No person shall permit animal waste to drain from their property into adjoining properties. 3.11. Persons disposing of animal waste shall deposit it in a private waste disposal container and shall secure the waste/feces in a single plastic bag that will contain the waste/feces, and this shall be sealed so as not to permit any drainage or liquid or spillage of solid matter. 4. COMMERCIAL KENNEL 4.1. No person shall operate a Small Animal Breeding and Boarding Facility unless the operator receives Development Permit approval from the Development Authority of the County. 5. DANGEROUS DOG 5.1. If a Peace Officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a dog has: BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 4 of 10 5.1.1. Chased, injured or bitten a person or other animal; or 5.1.2. Damaged or destroyed any property; or 5.1.3. Threatened or created the reasonable apprehension of a threat to a person or other animal; or 5.1.4. Been previously determined to be a Dangerous Dog under the Dangerous Dog Act, RSA 2000, Chapter D-3, 5.1.5. then the Peace Officer may seize and impound the dog at the Animal Control Shelter and recommend to the Chief Administrative Officer, or designate, that the dog be declared a Dangerous Dog. 5.2. Upon receipt of a recommendation from a Peace Officer pursuant to Subsection 5.1, the Chief Administrative Officer, or designate, may declare the dog to be a Dangerous Dog. 5.3. If the Chief Administrative Officer, or designate, has declared a dog to be a Dangerous Dog, a Peace Officer shall provide written notice of the declaration to the dog's Owner. 5.4. A person who receives a notice of the declaration from a Peace Officer may appeal the declaration by giving written notice of the appeal and reasons therefore to the Chief Administrative Officer, or designate, within ten (10) days of receiving the declaration from the Peace Officer. 5.5. When a dog has been declared a Dangerous Dog, an Owner shall: 5.5.1. Keep the Dangerous Dog in a suitable contained structure or fenced area while outside; and 5.5.2. Keep the Dangerous Dog muzzled while on leash; and 5.5.3. Post warning sign that a Dangerous Dog resides on the premises, at each gate to the property. 5.6. Upon demand made by a Peace Officer, the Owner shall forthwith surrender for quarantine any dog which has inflicted a dog bite to any person or any animal which a Peace Officer has reasonable and probable grounds to suspect of having been exposed to rabies. The dog may be reclaimed by the Owner if: 5.6.1. They keep the dog properly restrained while outside; and 5.6.2. Upon payment of confinement expenses. 5.7. Where a dog bite results in a serious wound being inflicted, the Owner shall promptly report the incident to a Peace Officer who shall report the incident to the Health Authority. The Health Authority will advise the Owner of the quarantine procedure. The Owner shall keep the Dog in controlled confinement until the Health Inspector has authorized the release of the Dog from controlled confinement. 6. ANIMAL SAFETY 6.1. No person shall neglect, abandon, tease, torment, annoy, abuse or injure any animal. 6.2. No person shall untie, loosen or otherwise free an Animal which is not in distress unless such person has the authorization of the Owner. 6.3. No person shall leave an Animal unattended in a vehicle unless it is restrained to prevent it from coming into contact with any person or Animal outside the motor vehicle. 6.4. Any person leaving an animal in a vehicle unattended shall ensure that suitable ventilation is provided for the Animal. 6.5. No person shall leave an Animal unattended in the open box area of a truck or an open trailer while the truck or trailer is parked. BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 5 of 10 7. LIVESTOCK 7.1. Livestock shall not be permitted within the Hamlet Residential (HR) or Recreation/Residential Resort (RRR) Districts of the Land Use Bylaw. 7.2. Keeping of livestock that results in numbers of animal units more than the thresholds listed in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw is not allowed. 7.3. Where livestock is kept, manure shall be managed to ensure there is no runoff onto adjacent lands, riparian areas, or watercourses, in a manner that mitigates odour. 7.4. On any parcels greater than 0.81 ha (2 acres) within a specified country residential area, additional animals may be allowed in accordance with Schedule "A". 7.5. No person shall keep more Animal Units on properties within a specified country residential area than allowed in Schedule "A". 8. KEEPING OF URBAN CHICKENS 8.1. Roosters shall be prohibited within all Hamlet and Country Residential Districts of the Land Use Bylaw. 8.2. Up to a maximum of four (4) Urban Chickens may be kept within all Hamlet Districts of the Land Use Bylaw. 8.3. A person who keeps Urban Chickens shall ensure that chickens are kept in a secure and enclosed coop or run and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The owner or occupant shall ensure that the keeping of chickens does not create a nuisance, including but not limited to: 8.3.1. Offensive or excessive odour; and 8.3.2. Accumulation of manure, waste or standing water; and 8.3.3. Excessive noise; and 8.3.4. Any condition that is deemed to negatively impact neighboring properties. 8.3.5. No permits are required for other avian species. Any avian species shall not negatively impact neighboring properties. 9. POWERS OF A PEACE OFFICER 9.1. A Peace Officer is authorized to capture and impound, in an Animal Shelter, any animal that is at large. A Peace Officer is further authorized to take such reasonable measures as are necessary to subdue any Dog at large. If any such Dog is injured, it may be taken to a registered veterinarian for treatment and then to an Animal Shelter. Costs for this treatment are the responsibility of the Owner. 9.2. Any collected animal at large other than a dog would be subject to the discretion of the Peace Officer. 9.3. A Peace Officer is authorized to enter upon the land surrounding any building for the purpose of pursuing and collecting any Dog which has been observed at large. 9.4. An impounded animal kept in an Animal Control Shelter for a period less than seventy-two (72) hours, (excluding Sundays and statutory holidays), may be claimed by its Owner, except as otherwise provided in this Bylaw, upon proof of ownership and payment to the municipality and/or authorized Animal Shelter: 9.4.1. Provide a valid and current Cypress County licence number, vet immunization documentation, adoption papers and/or a microchip registration form. 9.4.2. The appropriate impoundment fee in full as set out in Schedule "B" of this Bylaw. BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 6 of 10 9.4.3. The cost of any veterinary treatment to relieve pain or bleeding of any Dog that is found to be injured when picked up or injured in the process of capture. 9.5. At the expiration of the seventy-two (72) hour period, as prescribed in Section 9.4 of this Bylaw, the Peace Officer is authorized to: 9.5.1. Transfer responsibility of the dog over to the animal adoption agency/shelter who will put the dog up for adoption should it meet their adoption requirements; and 9.5.2. Allow the dog to be redeemed by its Owner, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.4 herein; or. 9.5.3. Continue to impound the Dog for such a period of time as the Peace Officer, in their discretion, may decide. 9.6. A Peace Officer shall maintain adequate records of: 9.6.1. Complaints and disposal of such complaints; and 9.6.2. Each Dog impounded and time, place, and disposition of such Dog. 10. IMPOUNDMENT 10.1. No unauthorized person shall remove or attempt to remove from an Animal Shelter any Dog impounded therein. 11. RABID DOG 11.1. Any Dog suspected of being rabid shall immediately be reported to the Health Authority and, upon inspection, shall be forthwith released by the Owner into custody of and be confined by the Peace Officer at the expense of said Owner for the period of up to fourteen (14) days or such period of time specified by the Health Authority. Any Dog taken into custody and confined shall not be destroyed unless the Medical Officer of the Health Authority orders it be euthanized. 12. COMPLAINTS 12.1. All Animal Control Complaints must be made to the County in writing, or by other means of communication with the Peace Officer or Animal Control Officer. 12.2. All complaints must have: 12.2.1. Complainants name; and 12.2.2. Complainants address; and 12.2.3. Complainants phone number; and 12.2.4. Location of the offence; and 12.2.5. Detailed description of the complaint. 13. PENALTIES 13.1. Any Person who contravenes any provisions of this Bylaw is guilt of an offence and is liable to a penalty, as set out in Schedule "B" of this Bylaw. 13.2. Where a Peace Officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a person has contravened any provision of this Bylaw, a Peace Officer or Animal Control Officer may serve upon such person a violation tag either personally or by delivering it to the person at their residence with a person on the BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 7 of 10 premises who appears to be at least eighteen (18) years of age or by delivery to their residence by mail and such service shall be adequate for the purpose of this Bylaw. 13.3. A violation tag shall be in such form as determined by the County and shall state: 13.3.1. The section of the Bylaw that was contravened; and, 13.3.2. The fine which is provided for within Schedule "B" of this Bylaw, including any amendments or additions thereto, that will be accepted by the County in lieu of prosecution. 13.4. If a violation tag issued pursuant to this Bylaw is presented within fourteen (14) days from the issue thereof, together with payment to the County the specified penalty and/or fee, the person to whom the violation tag was issued will not be liable for prosecution for the contravention in respect of which the violation tag was issued. 13.5. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Bylaw, a person to whom a violation tag has been issued may exercise their right to defend any charge of committing a contravention of any provision of this Bylaw. 14. SUMMARY CONVICTION 14.1. A Person who contravenes a provision of this Bylaw by doing something they are prohibited from doing, or by failing to do something which they are required to do, or by doing something in a manner different from that in which they are required or permitted to do by this Bylaw, is guilty of an offence and upon summary conviction, liable of a fine of not more than ten thousand ($10,000) dollars. 14.2. Where there has been a breach of this Bylaw, a Peace Officer is hereby authorized to and empowered to issue a Violation Ticket pursuant to Part 2 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act RSA 2000, c P- 34 as amended. 15. SEVERABILITY 15.1. Each provision of this bylaw is independent of all other provision. If any such provision is declared invalid by a Court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions of this bylaw shall remain valid and enforceable. 16. REPEAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE 16.1. Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw 2016/09, and all amendments thereto, are hereby repealed on the effective date of this Bylaw. Read a first time this 2nd day of June 2026. Read a second time this 2nd day of June 2026. Read a third time this this 2nd day of June 2026. __Original Signed___________ Mayor __Original Signed___________ Chief Administrative Officer BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 8 of 10 Schedule "A" Animal Units by Parcel Size The maximum number of livestock permitted on a parcel are as follows: Parcel Size Maximum Animal Units < 1.4 ha (3.46 ac) 1 1.4 ha - 2.0 ha (3.46 ac - 4.94 ac) 2 2.0 ha - 3.0 ha (4.94 ac - 7.41 ac) 3 3.0 ha - 4.0 ha (7.41 ac - 9.88 ac) 4 4.0 ha - 5.0 ha (9.88 ac - 12.36 ac) 5 5.0 ha - 6.0 ha (12.36 ac - 14.83 ac) 6 6.0 ha - 7.0 ha (14.83 ac - 17.29 ac) 7 7.0 ha - 8.0 ha (17.29 ac - 19.77 ac) 8 8.0 ha - 9.0 ha (19.77 ac - 22.24 ac) 9 9.0 ha - 10 ha (22.24 ac - 24.71 ac) 10 10.0 ha - 12.1 ha (24.71 ac - 29.90 ac) 15 12.1 ha - 16.1 ha (29.90 ac - 39.78 ac) 20 > 16.1 ha (39.78 ac) No maximum BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 9 of 10 The number of animals that constitutes an animal unit are as follows: Animal Type # of Animals = 1 Animal Unit Cattle 1 Pigs 2 Horses/Ponies 1 Donkeys/Mules 1 Poultry 20 Sheep 5 Rabbits/Mink 20 Goats 5 Elk 1 Emu 4 Ostrich 2 Bison 0.5 Deer 4 Alpacas/Llamas 5 BYLAW 2026/15 Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw/Responsible Animal Ownership Page 10 of 10 Schedule "B" Cypress County Specified Penalties Offence Under Offence Amount of Fine ($) S3 Responsibility of Owners 1st Offence $100 2nd Offence $200 3rd Offence TBD by CPO S4 Operate Commercial Kennel w/out License $200 S5 Dangerous Dog Provisions 1st Offence $250 2nd Offence $500 3rd Offence $1,000 S6 Animal Safety 1st Offence $200 2nd Offence $400 S7 Livestock $500 S8 Urban Chickens $250 S9 Obstruct Peace Officer $1,000 S10 Remove dog from Impoundment $500 S11 Rabid dog $500