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As of this week, dog owners given tickets by Montreal’s canine squad can opt out of the fine if they agree to attend an information session about pet safety.

Craig Sauvé, counsellor for the city’s Sud-ouest borough, said the “trade your ticket” program, which already exists for cyclists and pedestrians, is being offered to people who violate Montreal’s animal control bylaw in an attempt to educate dog owners rather than fine them.

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The program is optional, but it gives people the choice to either pay their ticket, contest it or sign up for the three-hour information session.

“We want to make sure that dog guardians are more responsible. Our job is not to take people’s money,” Sauvé said.

According to Sauvé, the information sessions are meant to educate dog owners about pet safety in Montreal and the city’s animal control bylaw.

“The rule is if you’re living in the city of Montreal, you have to have your dog on a leash at all times in public space,” he said. “These are the kind of the things the canine squad is looking for.”