Colwood rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In Colwood, the animal control officer can designate a dog aggressive; a dangerous dog is defined by the provincial Community Charter. A dangerous dog must be muzzled and leashed in public and locked in a pen at home. An aggressive dog must be leashed and confined. Dangerous dog offences start at $500.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Aggressive dog: designated by the Animal Control Officer after aggressive behaviour or a minor injury without provocation; the owner may appeal to the Animal Control Review Board within 14 days. Dangerous dog (Community Charter s. 49): has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal in a public place or on property not owned or occupied by its owner, or an animal control officer reasonably believes it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 3.0; Community Charter, s. 49, Province of British Columbia, Community Charter s. 49(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAggressive dog means a dog that has been designated as such by the Animal Control Officer The owner may appeal the designation to the Animal Control Review Board within 14 days of the Dangerous Dog is as defined in the Community Charter has killed or seriously injured a person, an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal, while in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog, or |
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| Rules for owners | Dangerous dog: only out with a competent person on a non-extendable leash and muzzled; confined at all times at home in a locked, enclosed pen at least 1.82 x 1.22 x 1.82 m or indoors; never in off-leash areas; warning sign posted; report escapes and attacks immediately; handler must be 19 or older. Aggressive dog: leashed when out, confined indoors or in a secure yard, never in off-leash areas.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 9.2, 9.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMust not allow the dog in public or private spaces without consent unless: it is on a non-extendable leash held by a competent person; and it is muzzled to prevent biting; Must post visible signage warning of a dangerous dog; A person under 19 years must not own or control a dangerous dog in public. Must confine the dog indoors or in a secure yard or tethered on their property; |
| Licence fee | Dangerous dog: $100 a year ($120 after March 1; the CRD lists $95 if bought before December 31 for the next year). Aggressive dog: $75 a year ($95 after March 1).Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), Schedule A; Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous Dog $100.00 $120.00 Aggressive Dog $75.00 $95.00 A $5.00 discount of the annual Licence Fee Dangerous dog license | $95 | $100 | $120 |
| How to report | Contact CRD Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624 (after hours 1-800-665-7899 ext. 0) or use the CRD online complaint form; give what happened, when and where, a description of the dog, owner and witness details, and photos of injuries if any. Name, address and phone number are required; anonymous reports are not investigated.Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District, Dog Bites and Attacks; PETiquette, Animal Regulation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingContact our office at 250.478.0624 or complete an online complaint form. We do not take anonymous reports, they will not be investigated. The CRD Animal Control Officer for Colwood can be reached by calling (250) 478-0624 or after hours at 1-800-665-7899 extension 0. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice amounts: dangerous dog improperly in a public place, on private land, not in building or enclosure, or attack: $500 each (no early discount; $500 late). Fail to erect dangerous dog sign $250 ($200 early, $300 late). Fail to advise of attack $750 (MTI). Municipal ticket amounts are the same. In court, the minimum fine for a dangerous-dog offence is $500, $750 or $1,000 (first, second, third), or $2,000 if a person or animal is injured.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1911, 2021 (consolidated to March 9, 2026), Schedule B, Animal Control Bylaw; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022), Schedule 11; Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 15.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous dog improperly in a Dangerous dog improperly in a 9.2(a) $500.00 N/A $500.00 Fail to erect dangerous dog sign Fail to secure animal 12.8 $250.00 $200.00 $300.00 Fail to advise of Dangerous Dog Attack Fail to advise of Dangerous Dog Attack 9.3(d) $750.00 the minimum fine for a "Dangerous Dog" related offence that results in injury to a Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014; Community Charter, s. 49Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 9.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe provisions of this section are in addition to any other regulations, prohibitions or |
How it works
Under the City's Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, the Animal Control Officer designates a dog aggressive after aggressive behaviour or a minor injury without provocation. The owner may appeal to the Animal Control Review Board within 14 days. A dangerous dog, as defined in section 49 of the Community Charter, has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal in a public place or on property not owned or occupied by its owner, or an officer reasonably believes it is likely to. Designations apply across all CRD municipalities.
Dangerous dog rules
- Out only with a competent person, on a non-extendable leash, and muzzled. The handler must be 19 or older.
- At home, confined at all times in a locked, enclosed pen at least 1.82 x 1.22 x 1.82 m, or indoors.
- Never in off-leash areas; a warning sign must be posted.
- Report escapes and attacks immediately.
Aggressive dog rules
- Leashed when out, confined indoors or in a secure yard, and never in off-leash areas.
- The designation may be removed once, on written application after six months, with behavioural training, permanent identification and a written assessment.
Good to know
- Notify the Animal Control Officer within 48 hours of a change of ownership or death.
- Bylaw notice and municipal ticket amounts are the same: $500 for a dangerous dog improperly in a public place, on private land, outside a building or enclosure, or an attack; $250 for failing to post the sign; $750 for failing to advise of an attack (municipal ticket). In court, the minimum fine is $500, $750 or $1,000 (first, second, third offence), or $2,000 if a person or animal is injured.
- To report a dog, call CRD Animal Care Services or use the CRD online complaint form. Give your name, address and phone number; anonymous reports are not investigated. Seek medical help and exchange contact information first.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
View Royal · Esquimalt · Langford · Victoria · Metchosin · Highlands
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
- Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
- Community Charter, s. 49, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1911, 2021 (consolidated to March 9, 2026) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- PETiquette, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.