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(Image Credit: Curtis Galbraith)
By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

Mayor says bylaw change meant to keep pet owners responsible

Jun 3, 2026 | 6:01 AM

Grande Prairie’s mayor says adding a section to the Noise, Nuisance and Disturbances Bylaw, banning the release of pets onto public property, is to make sure responsible pet owners are exactly that.  

Jackie Clayton says this covers several things. 

“From the releasing of goldfish, to the releasing of reptiles, to the releasing of bunnies, to the releasing of dogs.” 

“There are expectations as a responsible pet owner, and now there’s a bylaw to enhance those initiatives.” 

There are several exceptions to the bylaw, including for off-leash areas and re-release of wildlife. 

“This isn’t addressing if somebody chooses to have their dog in an off-leash park. This is addressing people who choose to no longer be a responsible pet owner and (not) have their pet at all and letting a reptile go in the park because they assume that lizard will grow fine, it’s summer, and it’s hot.” 

“This is where we get to, in a community, with pets that aren’t intended to be part of our natural habitat.” 

Clayton says domesticated rabbits have been let go and are now interbreeding with wild rabbits. 

Clayton says a separate report on the feral rabbits in the Swanavon area is expected at a future city committee meeting. 

“The population of rabbits has grown quickly, and we hear from residents on a regular basis of a nuisance that they are, ripping up people’s gardens and yards.” 

Several years ago, the city also had to remove goldfish from the pond in front of the Ernie Radbourne Pavilion. 

Council approved the change at its meeting on May 25, 2026.

by Curtis Galbraith