Dogs on the métro
The pilot project continues to allow leashed dogs in the métro under certain conditions. They are not allowed on buses or paratransit vehicles.
Riding the métro with your dog
Rules
Leashed dogs are authorized inside the métro:
From May 20 to August 18, 2024
All the time, except during major events.
As of August 19, 2024
Monday to Friday:
- From opening until 7:00 AM
- From 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- From 6:00 p.m. until closing
- Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: all day
During major events:
Some events create a lot of traffic in the métro. When many people are using the métro in the same place at the same time, dogs may be forbidden for safety reasons.Before taking your dog on the métro, check the planned events calendar.
- All dogs must wear a muzzle from the time they enter the station until they leave.
- Keep a firm grip on your dog’s leash, leaving no more than 1.25 metres (49 inches) of slack between the hand holding the leash and the dog.
- Only one dog per customer is allowed.
- Dogs are not allowed on any seats on métro trains or platforms.
Entering the métro
- Customers travelling with pet dogs must enter and exit métro stations via STM-owned entrances only.
- For now, Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke station is excluded from this pilot project. Discussions are underway with the entities responsible for the outer entrances to this station.
- Some métro entrances are located in buildings that do not belong to the STM. The owners of those properties may not allow dogs inside their buildings. If you are planning to use one of those entrances, please check ahead of time.
During trips
- Customers with dogs must use the back or middle train cars and avoid using the frontmost car, as it is used by school groups, daycares, wheelchair users.
- Dogs are not allowed on escalators.
- Dogs are allowed on elevators only if there is enough room.
- Businesses and services inside métro stations have the right not to allow dogs. We recommend checking before making the trip with your dog.
Tips for a safe and pleasant trip
Taking the métro with your dog can require some planning and flexibility. Here are a few important things to know when planning your trip.
Watch this video from the Montreal SPCA (French only) on the steps to getting your dog used to wearing a muzzle :
You can also check out this Montreal SPCA article
Muzzles must meet the following requirements: Muzzles must cover the dog’s entire snout and be tight enough to prevent biting. Basket types are recommanded. Halters such as a Halti or Gentle Leader are not considered muzzles and should not be used for this purpose.
Why is the STM requiring muzzles?
We are requiring pet dogs to wear muzzles because we want to keep our customers safe and recognize the impact that it can have on their sense of safety. If your dog has a well-fitting muzzle and has been trained to wear it, it should not find it uncomfortable. Your dog will not be able to drink or chew on objects while in transit, but these behaviours are not permitted anyway.
Please note that many transit agencies in other large cities, such as Berlin, Madrid and Paris, also require pet dogs to wear muzzles.
More information is available on the Montreal SPCA website about how to choose the right muzzle for your dog, how to fit it correctly and how to get your dog used to wearing it.
By preparing your dog to take the métro, you’re helping make its trip more pleasant and less stressful.
- For your first few trips, choose a short route so that your dog can get used to the sounds, smells, space, movement, etc.
- Choose a destination that your dog will enjoy so it can associate taking the métro with getting a reward.
- Make sure your dog doesn’t eat right before the trip to prevent motion sickness.
- Have your dog do its business before boarding the métro.
If your dog isn’t comfortable around strangers, we do not recommend you bring it on the métro.
- For the safety of your dog and of other customers, please use the stairs whenever possible. Escalators pose a risk of serious injury to dogs should their fur, nails or skin get caught in the moving parts.
- Stay behind the yellow line at the platform.
- For the well-being of both dogs and passengers, customers with dogs must use the back or middle train cars and avoid entering the frontmost car, as it is used by school groups, daycares, wheelchair users.
- If the train is crowded, please consider waiting for the next one to keep your dog comfortable. Dogs don’t like to feel trapped, and there is a risk of their paws getting stepped on.
- Do not let other customers pet your dog.
- If there is another dog on the train, please move to a different car.
Place yourself between your dog and other customers. This will reassure your dog and provide some distance from other customers.
If your dog shows any of the following signs, watch it closely and make the decision to leave the métro if the behaviour continues or worsens:
- Excessive panting
- Tail between legs
- Vocalizing
- Ears back
- Whites of eyes unusually visible
- Lifting paws
Customers must control and calm their dogs if they bark or disturb other passengers. They are responsible for keeping their dogs from barking, whining, howling or making any other noise. Customers who are unable to do so lose the right to bring a pet dog onto the métro.
This pilot project, wich will last 9 months, applies to the métro network and pet dogs only. Since there is much less space on buses, we do not have plans to allow pet dogs on buses.
Things to keep in mind:
- The conditions of this pilot project do not apply to customers travelling with a guide dog or service dog. These dogs are already allowed in all STM networks (bus, métro and paratransit).
- Customers who prefer to keep their dog in a cage/closed carrier designed for that purpose can continue to do so on both the bus and métro.
Yes, because they are not in a cage or closed carrier.
See by-law R-036 8.a) and 8.b).
Guide dogs and service dogs
All customers are allowed to be accompanied by a guide dog or service dog required for a disability. This applies at all times and in the whole network, including bus, métro and paratransit. The conditions of the pilot project do not apply to customers travelling with a guide dog or service dog.
Your dog, your responsibility
Customers are responsible for their dogs in all respects and must ensure that they do not cause any inconvenience, harm or damage to any person or equipment in the métro. Any dog behaving aggressively must leave the station immediately. All dog excrement must be immediately picked up by the owner.
Pets other than dogs
Animals other than dogs must at all times be kept in a carrier cage or or other closed carrier container designed for that purpose.
Bus trips
Customers may bring their dogs or other pets onto buses. For its own safety, your pet must remain inside a carrier or other closed container designed for that purpose at all times and be kept out of the way of other passengers.
Transit fares
Dogs and other animals can ride with their owners free of charge.
Read section 8 of By-law R-036 regarding animals. (Available in French only) Any violation of this by-law may result in a fine of $75 to $500.
The terms of this pilot project are in addition to the obligations set out in applicable municipal by-laws that pertain to the STM métro.