Animals

Anyone wishing to keep one or more agricultural animals within the municipality's boundaries must be located in the agricultural sector or in an authorized sector, in particular where these uses are recognized by the Municipality.

Any keeper or person in charge of agricultural animals who must have these animals cross the public roadway must ensure that it is done safely.

The following  birds are also accepted:
 

• Capitonidae
• pigeons
• emberizidae
• irenidae
• religious mainata
• musophagids
• ploceids
• psittacids
• pycnocotids
• ramphasids
• timiliids
• turdidae
• zosteropids

Each house is permitted a maximum of 3 dogs, with the exception of farmers.

Licenses

All dogs must have a license available at a cost of $25 per year. Each license is valid from January 1 to December 31.  Within 15 days of the dog’s adoption or move into the municipality, owners are required to obtain a license at the Animal protection service. 

Licenses for guide dogs and farm dogs are free.

Lost or destroyed licenses and certificates can be replaced at a cost of $2.

Leash

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when they are outside the boundaries of your home. The length of the leash must not exceed 1.85 meters or 6 feet.

Nuisances

The facts, circumstances and actions below constitute examples of nuisances and offences:

• The fact that a dog barks or screams in a way that disturbs peace or tranquility and is a nuisance to one or more people;
• The fact that a dog is on private property without any expressed consent from the owner or occupant of the property. This provision does not apply to guide dogs;
• The fact that a dog bites or attempts to bite an animal that behaves peacefully;
• The fact that a dog bites or attempts to bite a person who behaves peacefully;
• The fact that a dog finds itself in a public or commercial space is a sign that the dog’s presence is not permitted. This provision does not apply to guide dogs;
• The fact that a custodian neglects to regularly collect excrement on his property and does not maintain the premises in an adequate state of health;
• The fact that a custodian is in public places with a dog but cannot control it at all times;
• The fact that a custodian is in a playground with his dog. This provision does not apply to a guide dog;

Prohibited breeds

Staffordshire terrier, American pit-bull-terrier, American Stafford terrier Mastiff or Bull mastiff dogs are prohibited in the municipality's territory. Crossed dogs from one of these breeds are also prohibited.

An exception to keep a dog from the listed breeds above may apply if

• The dog resided on the territory of MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais on December 31, 2011;
• A license was being issued to the dog each year prior to 31 December 2011;
• The owner is in possession of a certificate from a veterinarian stating that the dog has been sterilized;
• A certificate from an insurance company is submitted to the Municipality of Chelsea each year. That the insurance coverage be for a minimum liability of $250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand dollars); and that an endorsement to the insurance policy be created so that the insurer notifies the Municipality if this policy ceases to be in effect;
• A certificate is filed with the Municipality attesting that the owner or guardian of the dog has taken an obedience course offered by a school recognized by the SPCA.

Dangerous dogs

Any dangerous dog is a nuisance. A dog is considered dangerous when it causes an injury to others requiring medical intervention (wound, fracture, internal injury, etc.) and this attack was carried out without prior provocation by the individual.

Exotic animals are permitted with the exception of:

• Crocodilians;
• Poisonous lizards;
• Poisonous snakes;
• Boas, pythons, anacondas and any snake that can reach three metres in adulthood;
• Wheat snakes or corn snakes;
• Marine turtles as well as green turtles with red ears.

The custody of a maximum of two horses or two alpacas is permitted under the following conditions:

• Horse or alpaca care is only permitted on lots located outside the multifunctional centre-village and Farm Point;
• The required lot, where horses or alpacas are kept, must be a minimum of 1.6 hectares (4 acres); 
• The stable or shelter must not exceed a floor area of 95 square meters. This ground area shall not be taken into account in calculating the maximum ground area set out in subsection 4.3.1;
• The manure storage area must be located at a minimum distance of:
  • 30 meters from any well;
  • 30 meters from any watercourse or lake;
  • 15 meters from a property line.

In addition, manure storage must be on a concrete slab and protected from weather conditions to prevent leachate runoff into the environment. Also, a liquid accumulation device must be part of the concrete slab. In order to keep manure on the lot, 1.2 hectares of pasture or crop area per animal is required. Failing this, a land application agreement with a farmer must be submitted to the Municipality.

The grazing or exercise area must be located at least 15 meters from any watercourse or lake.

Tree cutting is not permitted for the purpose of providing a grazing or exercise area for animals or for the purpose of providing for the expansion of an existing area.

If you have any questions about keeping laying hens, please contact us at urbanisme@chelsea.ca.

The following mammals and birds are also accepted:

• Chincillas
• Guinea pigs
• Common degus
• Gerbils
• Jerboas
• Hamsters