Montreal is seeing a sharp increase in reports involving aggressive dogs.
New data from the City shows a 41 per cent rise in cases since 2021, with 586 investigations last year alone into dogs showing aggressive behaviour or involved in biting incidents.
Dog trainer Riannon Horan says the numbers don’t surprise her. She says she now sees three to four clients a month dealing with visits from municipal inspectors, a trend she says is on the rise.
“Those municipal visits can be something like a complaint for noise or barking and so they know the City is about to visit and they would like to practice maybe because their dog is excited or too happy and would display kind of like maybe some vocalization or jumping when the city arrives so they want to make sure that the visit goes well,” Horan says.
According to the report, the rise is partly linked to the growing dog population in Montreal which is now estimated at around 160,000.
A lack of proper training and socialization is also cited as a key factor in problematic behaviour. Last year, prevention officers issued 268 statements of offence — a 12 per cent increase from 2024 — often for dogs being off leash or not under their owner’s control.
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“Freedom is a luxury,” says Jeremy Cloutier, another dog trainer. “If you’re able to recall your dog, if you’re able to get that connection even though you unleash him well then you can allow yourself to have a dog.”
About a third of those reports are concentrated in three boroughs: Hochelaga–Maisonneuve, Rosemont–La Petite‑Patrie, and Côte‑des‑Neiges–NDG.
Horan says lack of sufficient spaces in dog parks might be a reason for the uptick.
“A smaller space creates more conflict because dogs are very spatially aware,” Horan says. “The less space that they have the more they feel the need to defend or protect that space and so that can come out with barking, that can come out with lunging.”
By the end of 2025, 110 dogs were officially listed in the City’s registry as potentially dangerous. Last year, 450 people took part in 64 outdoor workshops offered by the City of Montreal.
Cloutier says going a step further could help — suggesting indoor classes for future dog owners so people fully understand the responsibility that comes with owning a dog.
“Having a dog is a lifestyle it’s not just something that is going to be cool for five, six months, a year or two it’s a full commitment,” Cloutier said.
