Dog days: Montreal pups now allowed on metro – with some conditions

The Montreal metro is about to get a little fluffier.

Dogs on leashes are allowed to ride the metro with their owners.

It’s part of a pilot project launched by the STM.

“I’m very excited today because it’s an opportunity to bring dogs into public transit,” said Mauro Peña, who rode the metro with Dexter, his eight-year-old Guatemalan Dogo. “It’s an opportunity for people that have no dedicated vehicle to be able to do little simple things like bring their dog to the vet, go to a park that’s further out in the city.

“I think it’ll give the opportunity for animals and pet owners to do more activities outside of their immediate core. Specifically I’m thinking of people with limited mobility options. I’m thinking of city dwellers in particular, people that rely on public transport for their day to day. I think it’ll strengthen that bond.”

The pilot project follows the Montreal SPCA’s “Fido Takes the Metro” campaign from earlier this year.

[Dogs on the métro] ???????????? Starting this morning, you could come across beagles, poodles and labs in our trains, as the pilote project has now started in our métro network.

More info ⏩ https://t.co/oj8QGWrUku pic.twitter.com/xwUA5Xg18U

— STM (@stminfo) October 15, 2022

The nine-month pilot project officially launched Saturday.

• Dogs will be allowed on the metro between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and after 7 p.m. to not impact the higher commute levels during rush hour;
• No time restrictions will be in place on weekends or holidays;
• All dogs will be required to wear a muzzle at all times (from entering the metro station to leaving the metro station);
• Dogs will also be required to stay on a leash that has a maximum distance of 1.25m;
• Owners will have to clean up any mess made by their pet (this includes the pet going to the bathroom);
• No dogs will be allowed on any of the transit seats or benches;
• Owners will also be limited to one dog per transit trip;
• No special ticket will be required for the dog to take the train.

Any by-law violations can result in a fine of $75 up to $500.

The SPCA says wearing a muzzle may be new for some dogs.

“What you need to do is that your dog associates wearing the muzzle with positive experiences,” said Sophie Gaillard, the acting executive director at the Montreal SPCA. “So for example giving treats to the dog while he or she is wearing the muzzle. It’s really important to wear a basket muzzle so the dog can breathe properly and able to take treats, and you really want to start with short periods at a time.”

Owner Mauro Pena and his dog Dexter outside a metro on Oct. 15, 2022. (Credit: CityNews/Brittany Henriques)

Those looking to ride the metro with their dog are also being asked to avoid the front of the train as the front car is preferred for schools, daycare centres, people with functional limitations, and bicycles.

“I expect rules to adapt in consequence,” said Peña. “You know, what are we going to do with the unvaccinated animals? What are we going to do with animals who the owner doesn’t put the muzzle on correctly or doesn’t want a muzzle at all? How are we going to react to that? Who is going to be enforcing those rules?

“There’s definitely a steep learning curve when it comes to harnesses and muzzles. Not every dog will adapt. Some dogs will drag their head. Some dogs will be overly stimulated because they have the muzzle and they’re surrounded by people in the metro.”

It is also recommended that pets avoid the use of escalators to avoid potential injuries.

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