Fernie dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash in Fernie, and what are the leash rules?
In the City of Fernie a dog must be on a leash in any public place, except in a signed off-leash area. The City's page names one, the Railyard Dog Park at 95 Ridgemont Avenue. Dogs are banned, even on a leash, in Rotary Park, Ridgemont Park and school grounds.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog must be on a leash on any sidewalk, highway, boulevard, school ground, playground, park or other public place, except in an off-leash area where its owner is a competent person who keeps it in view and under control.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 5.1(a), 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingto be on a sidewalk, highway, boulevard, school unless the Dog is on a Despite section 5.1(a) a Leash is not required for a Dog in an Off-Leash Area |
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| Maximum leash length | A leash may be no longer than 6 feet (1.83 m). Aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs must be on a leash no longer than 1 metre when off the owner's property.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 1.2 "Leash"; s. 7.2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmeans a line or chain that does not exceed 6 feet (1.83 meters) a maximum length of (1) metre |
| Off-leash areas | The Railyard Dog Park, 95 Ridgemont Avenue (run by the Fernie Pets Society). An off-leash area is City land marked by signs. In one, carry a leash, keep the dog in view and under control, leash it at once if aggressive, and remove its excrement.Animal Responsibility, Dog Off-Leash Parks; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 1.2 "Off Leash Area"; s. 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Off-Leash Railyard Dog Park is located at: 95 Ridgemont Avenue means an area of City-owned property designated by signs carry a Leash; keep the Dog in view at all times; |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Rotary Park, the grounds of any school, and Ridgemont Park. Dogs are banned there even on a leash.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 5.1(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwhether or not on Leash, enter onto or be in the following restricted areas: Rotary Park; The grounds of any school; Ridgemont Park. |
| Cleaning up | The owner must not let the dog leave excrement on a public place or another person's property unless the owner immediately removes it and disposes of it in a sanitary manner.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 5.1(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingleave or deposit excrement on any Public Place or Property of another person, unless the Owner immediately removes such excrement and |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Municipal ticket $150 for failing to keep a dog on a leash in a public place.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041, Appendix 7 of Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041, s. 5.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFailure to keep a dog on leash in a Public place 5.1 (a) $150.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 2436, 2021 |
How it works
The Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021 requires a dog in the City of Fernie to be on a leash on any sidewalk, highway, boulevard, school ground, playground, park or other public place. A leash may be no longer than 6 feet (1.83 metres).
Off-leash areas
The Railyard Dog Park, 95 Ridgemont Avenue, is run by the Fernie Pets Society. An off-leash area is City land marked by signs. In one, the owner must carry a leash, keep the dog in view and under control, leash it at once if it behaves aggressively, and remove its excrement.
Good to know
- Dogs are not allowed in Rotary Park, Ridgemont Park or on the grounds of any school, even on a leash.
- Dog waste must be removed immediately and disposed of in a sanitary manner, on public places and on other people's property.
- Aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs must be on a leash no longer than 1 metre when off the owner's property.
- A municipal ticket is $150 for not keeping a dog on a leash in a public place. Other $150 tickets include a dog in a restricted area and not removing excrement.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston
Sources
- Animal Responsibility, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.