Halifax regional council is formally asking the province to strengthen legislation that deals with dangerous dogs, and is calling for a provincial dangerous dog registry after a unanimous vote Tuesday.

The discussion surrounding dangerous dog laws follows two high-profile incidents in Nova Scotia. In January, a 13-year-old boy from the Shelburne area died after he was attacked by a Rottweiler and two cane corso dogs. In 2023, a German shepherd attacked a mother and her children in Windsor Junction, which is part of the Halifax Regional Municipality. 

Tuesday’s motion directed Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore to send a letter to Nova Scotia’s municipal affairs minister, John MacDonald, asking for legislative changes.

“People all across Nova Scotia will have improved safety and security from dogs that have past history in attacks” said Coun. Trish Purdy, who asked for a staff report into the issue earlier this year.

“I think this is really, really important, and hopefully the province will be agreeable too.”

Defining dangerous

In Nova Scotia, the onus is on municipalities to define and regulate dangerous dogs in bylaws, including by breed. There’s nothing preventing an owner from moving to another municipality to avoid sanctions, including muzzle orders.

Halifax’s proposal, contained in the March staff report, calls on the province to pass an act that defines dangerous dogs, and create a system for jurisdictions to share information about dangerous dog designations and enforce existing orders.

A centralized registry would include owner information, breed, colour, and a photo of the dog, and any restrictions.

The proposal also calls for amended legislation allowing municipalities to seize dogs without a warrant when “public safety is at risk.”

The Department of Municipal Affairs declined an interview with CBC News, but said Wednesday in a statement that “a provincewide registry is not being considered at this time.”

Coun. Cathy Deagle Gammon, who seconded Purdy’s motion for the staff report, urged people to call their “MLA and make sure that they’re aware of exactly what this is and why it’s so important.”

In the Halifax Regional Municipality, a dog may be designated as dangerous if it attacks or “demonstrates a propensity” to attack a person or another animal, has caused injuries in the past, is trained for dog fighting, or if it has a muzzle order.

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