Canal Flats rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Canal Flats?
Short answer
In Canal Flats, the Dog Control Bylaw uses the term "vicious dog". An officer or the RCMP can designate one. The owner must then muzzle and leash it off the property, keep it in a fenced rear yard, and post warning signs.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | The bylaw uses 'vicious dog'. A Dog Control Officer, Bylaw Enforcement Officer or RCMP member designates a dog based on evidence that it killed or seriously injured a person or animal, bit, attacked or aggressively pursued without provocation, has a tendency to attack without provocation, was trained or owned for dog fighting, or is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The owner may ask for reconsideration within 14 days, then ask Council.Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019, s. 2 definition; s. 10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA dog which has killed or seriously injured a person or animal; A dog which has been trained for, or is owned for, the purpose of dog fighting; within fourteen (14) calendar days of the notice being delivered Council may confirm or reverse the designation of the dog as a vicious dog and the decision of Council is final |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Off the owner's property the dog must be on a leash, muzzled and under the immediate charge of a responsible person. In a vehicle it must be muzzled and secured. Outdoors on the property it must be in a rear yard fully enclosed by a solid fence 1.8 m high with self-closing, locking gates. Indoors it must be secured in the dwelling. It must wear a valid licence, and warning signs must be posted at all entrances.Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019, s. 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe dog is on leash, muzzled and under the immediate charge and control of a person responsible completely enclosed with a solid fence that is 1.8 meters in height ensure the vicious dog wears a valid dog license at all times signs designed or written in a manner to indicate that a person should exercise caution |
| Licence fee | Not confirmed. The fee amounts for aggressive and dangerous dogs could not be read from the bylaw schedule. |
| How to report | File the Village's Bylaw-Related Complaint Form. Verbal complaints are taken seriously, but the Village cannot act until a formal complaint is filed; complaints are confidential. Dog control is handled by the Community Enhancement Officer (Bylaw and Dog Control), 250-420-7121; Village office 250-349-5462.Animal Bylaws, news post, May 6, 2024; Village Office, Village Office page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingwe are unable to take any courses of action until a formal complaint has been filed All formal complaints are confidential Community Enhancement Officer (Bylaw and Dog Control) 250-420-7121 Bylaw-Related Complaint Form |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $100. (Examples: vicious dog off the owner's premises not properly leashed or muzzled; not secured in a vehicle or rear yard; vicious dog at large.) Dog attacking or pursuing a person or animal: $50 municipal ticket, $100 bylaw notice.Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Bylaw No. 242, 2021, Bylaw 242, Schedule A; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 231, 2020, Bylaw 231, Schedule D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingVicious dog off the owner's Vicious dog at large $100 $75 $125 No Vicious dog off the owner’s premises not properly 11(a)(i) $100.00 Vicious dog at large 11(b) $100.00 Dog attacking or pursuing person or animal 8(c) $50.00 |
| Bylaw | Village of Canal Flats Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019, Citation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingVillage of Canal Flats Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019 |
How it works
The Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019 calls these animals "vicious dogs". A Dog Control Officer, Bylaw Enforcement Officer or RCMP member can designate a dog as vicious based on evidence that it killed or seriously injured a person or animal, bit or attacked or aggressively pursued without provocation, tends to attack without provocation, was trained or owned for dog fighting, or is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The owner may ask for reconsideration within 14 days, and then ask Council, whose decision is final.
Steps
- To report a dog, file the Village's Bylaw-Related Complaint Form. The Village cannot act until a formal complaint is filed; complaints are confidential.
- Take or send the form to the Village office, 8866 Grainger Road, or call 250-349-5462.
- For dog control, you can also call the Community Enhancement Officer at 250-420-7121.
Good to know
- Owner rules for a designated dog: off the property it must be on a leash, muzzled and under the immediate charge of a responsible person. In a vehicle it must be muzzled and secured. Outdoors on the property it must be in a rear yard fully enclosed by a solid fence 1.8 m high with self-closing, locking gates. Indoors it must be secured in the dwelling.
- It must wear a valid licence, and warning signs must be posted at all entrances. The owner must give 7 days' notice of a change of address or owner.
- A vicious dog off the owner's premises not properly leashed or muzzled, or at large: bylaw notice $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days) or municipal ticket $100.
- A dog attacking or pursuing a person or animal: municipal ticket $50, bylaw notice $100. The two ticket systems differ here, so confirm with the Village.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Invermere · Radium Hot Springs · Kimberley · Elkford · Cranbrook · Kaslo
Sources
- Dog Control Bylaw No. 225, 2019 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Bylaws, Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Village Office, Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Bylaw No. 242, 2021 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 231, 2020 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.