Creston rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Creston?
Short answer
In Creston, a dangerous dog must be licensed as dangerous by an owner over 19 and kept indoors, in an escape-proof enclosure, or muzzled on a leash of 1 m or less. The licence is $243 if bought by March 31 and $248 after (taxes apply). Failing to licence one is a $475 bylaw notice.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | A dog that has killed or seriously injured a person, or a companion or domestic animal in a public place or on property other than its owner's, or that an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The officer may also designate a dog that, unprovoked, aggressively pursued, attacked or bit a person or animal, or is kept for fighting.Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, s. 4.1 definition; s. 9.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinghas killed or seriously injured a person; has, without provocation, aggressively pursued, attacked or bitten another animal or a person; the Animal Control Officer may, without limiting the powers available to him or her pursuant to any has killed or seriously injured a companion or 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 an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Licence the dog as dangerous (owner over 19). Keep it indoors, in an escape-proof enclosure children under 12 cannot enter, or muzzled on a leash of 1 m or less held by a competent person 19 or older. Post a warning sign at each entrance.Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, ss. 9.1, 9.5, 9.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall own or keep any Dangerous Dog unless this dog is licenced as a Dangerous Dog properly fitted with a humane basket muzzle, on a leash not longer than one (1) metre (3.2 feet) shall display a sign declaring in legible writing and with a |
| Licence fee | $243 if bought by March 31; $248 after March 31 (taxes apply).Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2, Schedule 2, Dog and Cat Licence Fees (consolidated to May 12, 2026); Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, s. 9.2(f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous Male Dog –Dog Unneutered $243.00 $248.00 payment of the Dangerous Dog licence fee as outlined in the Fees and Charges Bylaw. |
| How to report | Complete a Bylaw Complaint Form (online or at Town Hall) with your name, address, phone number and a description. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. The Public Safety and Compliance Officer investigates.Complaints and Claims, Complaints and Claims page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIf you have a bylaw complaint complete a Bylaw Complaint Form. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. The Public Safety and Compliance Officer will open an investigation in relation to the complaint. |
| Fine | Bylaw notices: fail to licence a dangerous dog $475 ($450 early, $500 late); fail to confine, muzzle and leash $475; no warning sign $45 ($30, $60); dangerous dog at the off-leash park $200 ($175, $225). A dog bite is $250 ($225, $275); an attack $475.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760, Schedule A, Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw rows · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording1826 9.1 Fail to licence dangerous dog $475.00 $450.00 $500.00 YES 1826 9.6 $45.00 $30.00 $60.00 YES property entries and building 1826 7.1(d)(i) Dangerous Dog at off-leash park $200.00 $175.00 $225.00 YES 1826 7.1(i) Dog/cat bite person or animal $250.00 $225.00 $275.00 YES |
| Bylaw | Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, 2015, Part 9Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, title, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, 2015 |
How it works
Part 9 of the Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826 covers dangerous dogs. A dog is dangerous if it has killed or seriously injured a person, or a companion or domestic animal in a public place or on property other than its owner's, or if an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to. The officer may also designate a dog that aggressively pursued, attacked or bit a person or animal without provocation, or is kept for fighting.
Steps
- To report a dog, complete a Bylaw Complaint Form online or at Town Hall, with your name, address, phone number and a description. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
- If your dog is designated, licence it as dangerous (owner over 19). The licence needs confirmation the dog is spayed or neutered, an approved trainer, liability insurance of at least $500,000 naming the Town, and permanent ID such as a microchip.
- Keep the dog indoors, in an escape-proof enclosure children under 12 cannot enter, or muzzled on a leash of 1 m or less held by a competent person 19 or older.
- Post a warning sign at each entrance.
Good to know
- To challenge a designation, ask the officer to reconsider within 14 days of the letter, with written reasons and a dog behaviour specialist's assessment done in the last six months.
- Tell the Town promptly if the dog is at large, moves, is given away or dies. A dog that does not comply may be seized and held 14 days.
- Bylaw notices: fail to licence a dangerous dog $475 ($450 early, $500 late); fail to confine, muzzle and leash $475; no warning sign $45 ($30, $60); dangerous dog at the off-leash park $200 ($175, $225). A dog bite is $250 ($225, $275); an attack is $475.
- Early amounts are for payment within 14 days; late amounts are for payment more than 28 days after the notice.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Salmo · Kimberley · Cranbrook · Fruitvale · Nelson · Montrose
Sources
- Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Complaints and Claims, Town of Creston (read 2026-11-06)
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.