⚖️ Dog Bite Liability Laws in Canada by Province
Ontario and Manitoba make owners strictly liable for harm their dog causes, whether or not it had bitten before. Elsewhere the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous, or was negligent.
2 Strict liability statute11 Common law (knowledge or negligence)
| Province | Status | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Alberta has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| British Columbia | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | British Columbia has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Manitoba | Strict liability statute | Yes. Manitoba’s Animal Liability Act makes an owner liable for harm their animal causes to people or property, without proof of fault or knowledge of the animal’s temperament; damages can be reduced for the victim’s own fault. | The Animal Liability Act, C.C.S.M. c. A95 |
| New Brunswick | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | New Brunswick has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Newfoundland and Labrador has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Northwest Territories | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | The Northwest Territories has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Nova Scotia | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Nova Scotia has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Nunavut | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Nunavut has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Ontario | Strict liability statute | Yes. Under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act the owner is liable for damages from a bite or attack whether or not they knew the dog was dangerous; damages are reduced if the victim was partly at fault. | Dog Owners’ Liability Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16 |
| Prince Edward Island | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Prince Edward Island has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Quebec | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Quebec has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Saskatchewan | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Saskatchewan has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
| Yukon | Common law (knowledge or negligence) | Yukon has no general strict-liability statute for dog bites, so the common law applies: the injured person usually has to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous (the “scienter” rule) or was negligent. Municipal bylaws may add fines. | Official text |
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General information, not legal advice. Laws change and local authorities often add stricter rules. Each row links to its source and was checked on the date shown at the top — confirm with your local authority or a lawyer before relying on it.