Bylaw 131-2026, in force since April 17, 2026, sets the rules for keeping dogs, cats and other pets in Ormstown: a licence valid for the animal's life, conditions for keeping up to 5 hens in the urban perimeter, and separate rules for dogs that are "at risk", "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous".
Notice of motion was given and the draft bylaw tabled on January 19, 2026. Council adopted the bylaw on April 13, 2026; it was published and came into force on April 17, 2026. The preamble refers to the provincial regulation on dogs (chapter P-38.002) in force since March 3, 2020, and states council's objectives: to avoid potential nuisances linked to keeping certain domestic animals, and to ensure the safety of persons. It also notes that the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent adopted harmonized bylaw 352-2025.
Article 76 says "le Règlement numéro 130-2020, le Règlement numéro 130-2022", and any incompatible provision of another municipal bylaw, are repealed and replaced by Bylaw 131-2026 from its coming into force.
Limits apply per "unit of occupation" (unité d'occupation): the lot, building, dwelling or premises the keeper occupies (art. 4). Article 29 prohibits keeping "plus de quatre (4) chats, dont un maximum de deux (2) chiens à l'intérieur du périmètre urbain" (more than 4 cats, of which a maximum of 2 dogs inside the urban perimeter). It sets a maximum of 4 dogs in a zone where the urban-planning bylaws allow it. The article does not say whether dogs count toward the limit of 4 stated for cats. It also prohibits more than 6 animals in total, all permitted species combined, except aquarium fish. Puppies may be kept up to 6 months from birth without immediately breaching the limit, if they cause no nuisance, danger or unsanitary situation.
Article 12 says keeping hens may be permitted in the urban perimeter as an accessory domestic use that complies with the zoning bylaw: the hens must be kept permanently in an enclosure or closed yard attached to a coop; one coop per lot, in the side or rear yard only; at most 5 hens; no rooster; and any nuisance linked to the hens, such as noise, odours, vermin or droppings, is prohibited and must not be perceptible beyond the lot. An accessory hutch with at most one domestic rabbit may be permitted when it also meets the applicable zoning standards and causes no nuisance.
Article 30 prohibits operating a kennel, a cattery or any other breeding or boarding operation in the urban perimeter, unless the urban-planning bylaws and other applicable rules expressly authorize it.
A licence is required for a dog or cat 6 months or older kept habitually, mainly or for an extended period in the municipality (art. 14). The keeper must apply within 15 days of acquiring the animal, of moving to the municipality, or of the animal turning 6 months old, whichever deadline is longest (art. 23). The licence is valid for the life of the animal, subject to suspension, revocation or cancellation (art. 25). The keeper must notify the municipality within 15 days of a change of address, or of the animal's death, disappearance, gift, sale or transfer (art. 28).
The animal is identified either by a municipal tag or by a microchip. An animal identified by a tag must wear it outside the unit of occupation; an animal identified by microchip need not wear a tag (art. 26, 27). Licences for guide dogs and service dogs are free (art. 21). The cost of the licence and tag is set by the municipal fee bylaw in force (art. 20); Bylaw 131-2026 itself states no amount.
Article 78 gives anyone who, on April 17, 2026, kept a domestic animal without a compliant licence 90 days from that date to regularize the situation, and the same 90 days to bring microchipping, sterilization, identification, keeping conditions and documents into line. The municipality or the competent authority may grant an additional reasonable delay for a documentary or veterinary obligation.
Outside the keeper's unit of occupation, a dog must be on a leash no longer than 1.85 metres, and a dog of 20 kg or more must also wear a harness, halter or other control equipment to which the leash is attached. These rules do not apply inside the unit of occupation, on a lot fenced to contain the dog, with a compliant restraint device under the keeper's immediate supervision, or in a dog park (art. 33).
It is prohibited to use a choke collar, a prong collar, an electric collar or any other device manifestly likely to cause pain or injury to keep or walk a dog in a public place. This does not prohibit veterinary or specialized equipment expressly recommended or authorized by a competent professional in a therapeutic or safety context (art. 35). An animal may not be kept tied by a chain, rope, cable or other restraint for more than 3 consecutive hours (art. 36).
A keeper must immediately pick up the animal's droppings in any public place or on any private property other than where it is legally kept (art. 38). Not carrying, during a walk, the material reasonably needed to pick up droppings may be taken into account by the competent authority in assessing compliance.
A dog that has bitten, tried to bite, attacked or tried to attack a person without causing death, or bitten another animal and injured it, is an "at-risk" dog (art. 44). Without delay, and within 24 hours at the latest, the keeper must notify the competent authority; tell it exactly where the dog is kept; put a basket muzzle on the dog outside the unit of occupation until notified otherwise; keep the dog at the declared place; and comply with any written notice requiring a behavioural evaluation or veterinary examination.
If an at-risk dog does it again before the evaluation or final decision, the competent authority may declare it potentially dangerous or dangerous; before an unfavourable decision, it must tell the keeper its reasons and let the keeper present observations (art. 45). If the dog is not declared dangerous, the authority may require a special licence for a potentially dangerous dog (art. 48). Its conditions include proof of sterilization and microchipping (or a veterinarian's notice), an applicant 18 or older, and no conviction in the previous 5 years for an offence listed in annex 2 of the bylaw (art. 49).
Outside the unit of occupation, a potentially dangerous dog must wear a basket muzzle, be on a leash no longer than 1.25 metres, and be supervised by a person 18 or older able to control it. At home, the keeper must post the sign supplied or authorized by the municipality where it is visible from the public road, keep the dog in a secure fenced area when it is not leashed, and not leave it with a child 10 or younger without constant supervision by a person 18 or older (art. 52).
When a dog is declared dangerous, its licence is revoked automatically (de plein droit). The keeper must have it euthanized within the delay set by the competent authority or, if none is set, within 48 hours of the enforceable decision or order, and provide a written attestation within 72 hours of the euthanasia (art. 47). A dangerous dog may not be returned to circulation contrary to public-safety decisions; an at-risk or potentially dangerous dog placed in a shelter may be put up for adoption under the conditions of article 58, with its status disclosed to the new keeper.
The "competent authority" (autorité compétente) includes municipal staff, peace officers, veterinarians, and a company, organization or shelter mandated by the municipality (art. 4); the municipality may apply the bylaw itself or entrust it to an external authority by agreement (art. 5). At any reasonable hour, the competent authority may visit any unit of occupation, lot or other place where an animal covered by the bylaw may be. It may enter a dwelling house only with the occupant's consent or with a warrant or other judicial authorization (art. 6). It may capture and shelter stray, non-compliant or dangerous animals (art. 56).
All costs incurred in applying the bylaw to an animal are charged to its keeper, including capture, boarding, veterinary care, euthanasia and carcass disposal, regardless of any penal proceedings or fine (art. 9). Fines (art. 66): for an individual (personne physique), $300–$600 for a first offence, $600–$1,200 for a repeat offence and $1,200–$2,000 for any further repeat; for a corporation (personne morale), $500–$1,000, $1,000–$2,500 and $2,500–$4,000. Each day an offence continues is a separate offence (art. 67).
A dog or cat 6 months or older kept in Ormstown needs a licence, valid for the animal's life (art. 14, 25). Keeping up to 5 hens in the urban perimeter may be permitted under the conditions of article 12 and the zoning bylaw. The keeper of a dog that bites or attacks must notify the competent authority within 24 hours (art. 44).