Cranbrook rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In the City of Cranbrook an animal control officer can designate a dog "vicious" after aggression or a bite. The owner must then keep it muzzled and on a short leash in public, behind a 1.8 m solid fence at home, sterilized and licensed ($225). "Dangerous dogs" go to Provincial Court.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Cranbrook has two categories. A 'vicious dog' is designated by an animal control officer based on evidence that the dog has a tendency to attack or aggressively pursue, has bitten with at least a minor injury, caused a secondary injury while at large, or was deemed aggressive elsewhere. A 'dangerous dog' has the meaning in s. 49 of the Community Charter; destruction needs a Provincial Court order. Owners can ask for reconsideration within 14 days.Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 1.2.1; s. 4.1(b); s. 5.1; s. 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinghas been designated as a VICIOUS DOG by an ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER based on evidence that: the DOG has bitten an ANIMAL or human resulting in at has the same meaning as provided in section 49 of the Community Charter. within fourteen (14) calendar days of the notice being delivered pending approval of a destruction order by the Provincial Court |
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| Rules for owners | Vicious dog: off the property, on a short leash (max 2 m) and muzzled; muzzled and secured in a vehicle; outdoors only in a rear yard with a 1.8 m solid fence and self-closing, latching gates, otherwise indoors; sterilized and vaccinated; always licensed; warning signs at entrances. Dangerous dogs follow the same rules unless a Provincial Court orders otherwise.Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), ss. 4.2, 4.3, 5.1(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe DOG is on a SHORT LEASH, MUZZLED and under the immediate charge and control of SOLID FENCE that is 1.8 meters in height and that has gates with self- ensure the VICIOUS DOG is STERILIZED signs designed or written in a manner to indicate a Except as directed by an order of the Provincial Court, a PERSON RESPONSIBLE for a DANGEROUS DOG must comply with the provisions |
| Licence fee | $225 for a vicious dog licence. No separate licence fee is listed for a dangerous dog.Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), Schedule B, Part A; Animal Control, Current Dog Licence Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording1. VICIOUS DOG $225.00 - Vicious Dog: $225 - Vicious dogs are those deemed "vicious" by an Animal Control Officer, as defined by the Animal Control Bylaw. |
| How to report | Call Bylaw Services at 250-489-9598; complaints about aggressive dogs are handled by Animal Control Services. For an emergency requiring police, fire or ambulance, phone 911.Animal Control, Service Requests; Request for Service, How to Contact Bylaw Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingaggressive dogs Complaints can be registered with the Bylaw Services Office by calling (250) 489-9598. If there is an emergency situation that requires police, fire, or ambulance, please phone 911. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice (full / within 14 days / after 28 days): failing to control or restrain a vicious dog, letting it run at large or bite: $500 / $475 / $500; not sterilizing or vaccinating: $125 / $100 / $150; no licence tag: $150 / $125 / $175; no warning signs: $225 / $200 / $250. Municipal tickets: $500, $100, $125, $200.https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176/, Schedule A1, ss. 4.2, 4.3; Municipal Ticketing Information System Bylaw No. 3856, 2016, Schedule B1, Schedule B1, ss. 4.2, 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFailure to Sterilize Vicious Dog $125.00 $100.00 $150.00 Vicious Dog Running at Large $500.00 $475.00 $500.00 Failure to Display Vicious Dog $225.00 $200.00 $250.00 Failure to Sterilize Vicious Dog 4.3(a)(i) $100.00 Failure to Display Vicious Dog Warning Signs 4.3(b)(iv) $200.00 |
| Bylaw | City of Cranbrook Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (and s. 49 of the Community Charter)Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCity of Cranbrook Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 |
How it works
The City of Cranbrook's Animal Control Bylaw 3845 has two categories. A vicious dog is designated by an animal control officer who finds evidence that the dog tends to attack or aggressively pursue, has bitten with at least a minor injury, caused a secondary injury while at large, or was deemed aggressive elsewhere. A dangerous dog has the meaning in s. 49 of the Community Charter, and destroying one needs a Provincial Court order.
Good to know
- Reconsideration: an owner can ask for reconsideration within 14 days.
- In public: a vicious dog must be off the property only on a short leash (no longer than 2 m) and muzzled. In a vehicle it must be muzzled and secured.
- At home: outdoors only in a rear yard with a 1.8 m solid fence and self-closing, latching gates; otherwise indoors. For up to 90 days from designation an enclosure may be used while a fence is built. Post warning signs at entrances.
- Other duties: the dog must be sterilized, vaccinated and always licensed ($225). Only one vicious dog is allowed per household, and never in an off-leash park. It may not be tethered except in a solid-fenced rear yard.
- Dangerous dogs follow the same rules unless a Provincial Court orders otherwise.
- Fines (bylaw notice): failing to control or restrain a vicious dog, letting it run at large or bite is $500; not sterilizing or vaccinating it is $125; no licence tag is $150; no warning signs is $225. Municipal tickets for these are $500, $100, $125 and $200. Early-payment (14 days) and late (after 28 days) amounts are in the bylaw notice schedule.
- Report an aggressive dog to Bylaw Services at 250-489-9598.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Kimberley · Fernie · Canal Flats · Sparwood · Creston · Elkford
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control, City of Cranbrook (read 2026-11-05)
- Request for Service, City of Cranbrook Bylaw Services (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4049, 2021, Schedule A1 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticketing Information System Bylaw No. 3856, 2016, Schedule B1 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176/ (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.