Staff conducted extensive public engagement over the last five years to better understand community perspectives. The primary engagement was an Off-Leash Area Review initiative in 2022. A What We Heard Report highlights the engagement efforts within the review, and key themes emerging from public feedback.

Residents indicated a need for more clarity on which spaces are on and off-leash, maps, enforcement, and what to expect when entering on and off-leash areas.

Survey feedback indicated a nearly split view on the future of off-leash areas in Medicine Hat – these were questions posed during specific off leash engagements and general outdoor enjoyment engagements. Discussions occurred on the possibility for the City to maintain, expand, reduce, or eliminate off-leash access.

It's important to note:

1. The survey was one element of the City’s lengthy public engagement process; and,
2. Public engagement was one element of what factored into changing off-leash areas.

View the Public safety section below to learn more.

The City of Medicine Hat has an obligation to protect its residents and all users of the extensive network of parks, trails, and open spaces.

Residents have stated they want to feel safe when using trails, parks and open spaces. There has been a reported decrease in trail use due to the unpredictability of off-leash animals.

Critical public safety concerns will always be the priority to address, especially in instances with split public sentiment.

Conversations with residents, service requests, public inquiries and complaints uncovered instances of significant harm and safety concerns for trail users. These instances involving off-leash dogs included, but were not limited to the following:

• Severe, life-threatening bite to the neck of a resident
• Youth knocked over and leg broken by dog chasing a ball on trail
• Chased or bitten while walking or running on or near trail
• Other dogs attacked, chased or bitten (on and off-leash)
• Repeated urination on a mobility aid
• General discomfort and/or fear of dogs by residents with varied age, ability/mobility, history, etc.
• Wildlife attacked by dogs

By the numbers

Between January 1, 2021, and April 21, 2026, Bylaw Services recorded 207 calls for service related to dog bites or chases, including 90 incidents involving dogs that were off-leash or at large. While not every incident results in enforcement action, and some incidents go unreported, this information helped inform decisions regarding off-leash areas.

Engagement also uncovered that residents often underreport incidents. This may be due to difficulty enforcing, providing more than verbal proof, lack of resolve, etc. The number and severity of incidents is likely higher than the number indicated through recorded service requests and Medicine Hat Police Service statistics.

This change to off-leash areas addresses and errs on the side of public safety.

Staff used the following factors as criteria to determine and designate off-leash areas: 

• Clear and discernable boundaries 
• Appropriate signage identifying the designated area 
• Relative separation from residential and commercial properties 
• Consideration of ecological factors
• Larger usable land pieces and good sight lines 
• Availability of parking  

Based on the Off-leash Area Review, some locations were found to align more closely with the criteria than others.

Section 15(1) of Bylaw 3935, the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw, indicates that City administration may designate off-leash areas.

Changes to off-leash areas do not require changes to the Bylaw - therefore, City Council is not legislated to make this decision.

Medicine Hat has 67.2 hectares of off-leash space – a ratio of approximately 9.8 hectares per 10,000 residents. This number is above average among comparable municipalities.

Designated off-leash areas are common amenities in cities. However, the types of spaces that are offered can vary. Some cities have fully fenced off-leash areas, and some have a combination of areas that are fenced and unfenced.

The City of Medicine Hat has chosen a balanced approach of fenced and unfenced off-leash areas to ensure the needs of all trail users are met.

Comparable municipalities like Calgary and Edmonton have used comprehensive, system-wide reviews rather than evaluating off-leash sites individually. Calgary’s approach considers site function, size, surrounding recreation uses, safety and service levels, while Edmonton’s strategy evaluates access, site use, environmental impacts, safety, amenities, maintenance and geographic gaps in off-leash opportunities.

Medicine Hat's approach to reviewing off-leash areas included an overview of sites, assessing potential options with the following criteria:

• Clear and discernable boundaries
• Appropriate signage identifying the designated area
• Relative separation from residential and commercial properties
• Consideration of ecological factors
• Larger usable land pieces and good sight lines
• Availability of parking  

Staff also ensured the total space of these suitable off-leash areas produced an above average ratio of hectares per 10,000 residents - an industry-standard metric. Medicine Hat's ratio of 9.8 hectares per 10,000 residents is above average among comparable municipalities.

Keep dogs within view at all times. Stay aware of your surroundings and make sure that you can hear others. Avoid using smart phones and keep the volume low. Be aware of other trail users.

Look both ways before entering a pathway. Be sure the trail is clear of obstructions and watch for slippery sections covered by ice, loose gravel or silt. Always remember to watch for wildlife.

Pick-up after your pet and consider keeping your dog on-leash, even on off-leash trails. Not everyone is comfortable with other pets.

Remember to stay to the right side of the trail. Keep to the pathways as much as possible to protect wildlife and habitat. Please do not disturb or feed any wildlife.

Dogs in heat are not permitted in off-leash areas. Stick to on-leash paths during this time.

For everyone's enjoyment of our trails, dogs must be under the control of an adult and respond to verbal commands in off-leash areas. 

Call out to other trail users, and slow down before passing on the left-hand side.

Dogs using off-leash areas must be licensed and vaccinated to help keep all pets healthy. 

If your dog likes to dig, be sure to fill in any holes they make. Dog owners are responsible for any damage or injury caused by their pet.

To protect their paws, glass containers are not permitted on off-leash trails.