Cumberland rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Cumberland?
Short answer
In Cumberland, the Manager of Protective Services can declare a dog aggressive, biting or dangerous under the Animal Control Bylaw. Owners must then licence the dog ($50 a year), contain it, leash it and post signs. Report a dog to the Animal Control Officer at 250-336-2291.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Aggressive dog: caused minor injuries (not bite wounds), aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal, or showed aggressive behaviour such as growling, snarling or lunging. Biting dog: has bitten a person or animal. Dangerous dog: as defined by the Community Charter. The Manager of Protective Services decides and gives written notice; appeal to Council within 30 days of service.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017 (consolidated December 18, 2020), s. 2, 49, 51, 54 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDANGEROUS DOG means a dangerous dog as defined by the Community Charter. BITING DOG means a dog that has, in the absence of mitigating factors, bitten a person or animal. In determining whether a dog is dangerous, the Manager of Protective Services may consider mitigating factors. If the Manager of Protective Services has determined that a dog is a biting, aggressive or dangerous dog, they must notify the owner in writing of: may appeal the determination of the Manager of Protective Services to Council in writing within 30 Caused minor injuries to a person or animal, not including bite Aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal; or |
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| Rules for owners | Aggressive: licence within 30 days of notice, dog contained on the property, non-retractable leash (2 m max) off it, 'Beware of Dog' signs. Biting: all of that, plus confined indoors (with a competent person 16 or older if anyone is present) or in a secure enclosure, and muzzled off the property. Dangerous: only with written authorization; then biting-dog rules apply.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017 (consolidated December 18, 2020), s. 38, 42, 44, 45.1, 46, 48, 50 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe owner of an aggressive dog must complete the following requirements within 30 days of the Village serving notice that the dog is an aggressive dog: Leashed with a non-retractable leash no more than two (2) metres (6.6 feet) in length, and shall prominently display at all entrances to the property a sign stating “Beware of Dog”. shall ensure that the biting dog is muzzled at all times when it is off the owner’s property No person shall own, possess, or harbour a dangerous dog within the boundaries the Village of Cumberland without written authorization from the Manager of Protective Services. A dangerous dog that is authorized to remain in the Village must be kept and licensed pursuant to the regulations for biting dogs in this Bylaw. The owner of a biting dog must comply with all of the requirements for aggressive dogs Confined indoors, and if any person is present, under the control of a competent person aged 16 years or older |
| Licence fee | $50 a year for an aggressive/biting dog licence; a dangerous dog allowed to stay is licensed under the biting-dog rules.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017 (consolidated December 18, 2020), Schedule A, s. 1(c); s. 50 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAggressive/biting dogs A dangerous dog that is authorized to remain in the Village must be kept and licensed pursuant to the regulations for biting dogs in this Bylaw. |
| How to report | Contact the Village Animal Control Officer at 250-336-2291 or bylaw@cumberland.ca. The Village relies on complaints and does not accept anonymous ones; you can call or complete a complaint form at the Village Office.Dogs and Animal Control, Aggressive Dogs; Contact, Email Contacts; Bylaw Compliance, Bylaw Compliance page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingcontact the Village Animal Control Officer at 250-336-2291 Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control: bylaw@cumberland.ca The Village does not accept anonymous complaints. To register a complaint with the Village, you may call 250-336-2291 or drop into the Village Office during office hours and complete a complaint form. |
| Fine | Ticket: aggressive dog not contained or not leashed $500 ($250 early); no aggressive-dog licence or no sign $200 ($100); biting dog not confined or not muzzled $1000 ($500); dangerous dog in the Village $1000 ($500). Court fine for these owner offences: $300 to $10 000.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1053, 2017 (consolidated August 2025), Schedule B; Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017 (consolidated December 18, 2020), s. 73 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFail to obtain aggressive dog licence 38 $200 $100 Fail to contain aggressive dog 40 $500 $250 Fail to leash aggressive dog 42 $500 $250 Fail to post sign for aggressive dog 44 $200 $100 Fail to confine biting dog 45.1 $1000 $500 Fail to muzzle biting dog 46 $1000 $500 Dangerous dog in Village 48 $1000 $500 shall be liable upon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10 000 and no less than $300 per offence. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017 (consolidated December 18, 2020), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw shall be cited as “Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017”. |
How it works
The Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061 has three levels for dogs in the Village of Cumberland. An aggressive dog has caused minor injuries (not bite wounds), aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal, or shown aggressive behaviour such as growling, snarling or lunging. A biting dog has bitten a person or animal. A dangerous dog is defined by the Community Charter. The Manager of Protective Services decides and gives written notice.
Steps
- To report a dog, call the Animal Control Officer at 250-336-2291, email bylaw@cumberland.ca, or complete a complaint form at the Village Office. The Village relies on complaints and does not accept anonymous ones.
- If your dog is declared, you may appeal in writing to Council within 30 days of being served.
- Follow the owner rules for your dog's level (below).
Good to know
- Aggressive dog: licence it within 30 days of the notice, keep it contained on the property, use a non-retractable leash of 2 metres or less off the property, and post "Beware of Dog" signs.
- Biting dog: all of the above, plus keep it confined indoors (with a competent person 16 or older if anyone is present) or in a secure enclosure, and muzzled off the property.
- Dangerous dog: allowed only with written authorization; then the biting-dog rules apply.
- Tickets: aggressive dog not contained or not leashed $500 ($250 if paid early); no aggressive-dog licence or no sign $200 ($100); biting dog not confined or not muzzled $1000 ($500); dangerous dog in the Village $1000 ($500).
- Court fines for these owner offences are $300 to $10 000.
- Impoundment fees are higher: aggressive or biting $250 first and $500 later; dangerous $500 plus $25 per day first and $1000 plus $25 per day later.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Courtenay · Comox · Campbell River · Powell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1061, 2017 (consolidated December 18, 2020) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Dogs and Animal Control, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Compliance, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1053, 2017 (consolidated August 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
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.