Mackenzie dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash in Mackenzie, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Mackenzie, a dog must be leashed in any public place unless it is an off-leash area. These are Second Beach on Morfee Lake, the Dog Park behind the Recreation Centre, and local trails where trailhead signs do not say to leash. A walking leash is at most 183 cm (6 feet).
Key facts
| Leash rule | Every owner must keep a dog leashed in a public place unless that place is designated an Off-Leash Area. A dog must not be at large: it must be under the owner's direct and continuous control.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 3(h); Animal Licences & Control, Pet Owner Responsibilities · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingEvery owner shall keep their Dogs Leashed when the Dog is in a Public Place unless that place has been designated an Off-Leash Area. Dogs must be on a leash and under your control at all times on municipal property and parks |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | Not more than 183 cm (6 feet) for walking; a tether line may be up to 762 cm (25 feet).Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 2(y) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingdoes not exceed 183 centimeters (6 feet) for the purpose of walking does not exceed 762 centimeters (25 feet) for the purpose of tethering |
| Off-leash areas | Second Beach on Morfee Lake, the Dog Park behind the Mackenzie Recreation Centre, and local trails (only where trailhead signage does not say dogs must be leashed).Animal Licences & Control, Pet Owner Responsibilities; Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 2(hh) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSecond Beach on Morfee Lake Dog Park behind the Mackenzie Recreation Center Local Trails (only where trailhead signage does not indicate otherwise) an area that dogs may be off leash – Second Beach, Dog |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Not confirmed. No list of places where dogs are banned was found. |
| Cleaning up | The owner must immediately remove and dispose of the dog's droppings from a public place or another person's property, in a garbage bin. The District also asks owners to pick up on their own property.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 5(k); Animal Licences & Control, Pet Owner Responsibilities · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAn Owner of an Animal that defecates in a Public Place or on another person’s property shall forthwith remove and dispose of the defecated matter in a garbage bin. Clean up any droppings left by your pet on public or private property (including your own property). |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Municipal ticket: $80 for a dog at large (s. 5(c)); $100 for failing to keep a dog leashed in a public place that is not an off-leash area (s. 3(h)).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, 2022, amended by Nos. 1488 and 1502, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording10. Dog at large. 5.(c) $80 3. Failure to keep dogs leashed in a public place that has not been 3.(h) $100 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016 (amended by Nos. 1377, 1473, 1491, 1501).Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAnimal Control and Licencing Bylaw 2016 No. 1354 |
How it works
Under the District of Mackenzie's Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, every owner must keep a dog leashed in a public place unless that place is designated an Off-Leash Area. A dog must not be at large: it must be under its owner's direct and continuous control. A "public place" is a highway or any place owned or controlled by the District or another public body and open to the public.
Good to know
- Off-leash areas: Second Beach on Morfee Lake, the Dog Park behind the Mackenzie Recreation Centre, and local trails, except trails whose trailhead signs or maps say dogs must be leashed. We found no separate map.
- A leash is not more than 183 cm (6 feet) for walking. A tether line may be up to 762 cm (25 feet).
- Owners must immediately remove their dog's droppings from a public place or another person's property and put them in a garbage bin. The District's page says failing to do so may bring a fine of up to $500.
- Tickets: $100 for not leashing a dog in a public place that is not an off-leash area, and $80 for a dog at large.
- The bylaw bars animals from public places where animals are prohibited but does not list any. Ask Animal Control & Bylaw Services at 250-997-3882.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Fort St James · Vanderhoof · Prince George · Fort St. John
Sources
- Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Licences & Control, District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, 2022, amended by Nos. 1488 and 1502 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.