Elkford rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Elkford?
Short answer
In Elkford a Bylaw Enforcement Officer can deem a dog Aggressive or Dangerous. A dangerous dog must be licensed as dangerous ($100 a year), sterilized, and muzzled and on a leash when off the owner's property. Report a dog to the bylaw officer.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Aggressive Dog: a dog that without justifiable provocation showed aggressive behaviour toward a human or animal, or caused a minor injury. A Bylaw Enforcement Officer may issue a written warning after a bona fide complaint; on a second bona fide complaint the officer may deem the dog Aggressive by written notice. A Dangerous Dog has the Community Charter meaning; the officer may seize it under Community Charter s. 49 or give written notice deeming it Dangerous. An Aggressive Dog that offends again after relief is granted may be reclassified as Dangerous.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 2 (Aggressive Dog), s. 5.1, 5.2; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 2 (Dangerous Dog), s. 6.1, 5.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghas without justifiable provocation displayed aggressive behaviour toward a human or Animal a Bylaw Enforcement Officer receives another bona fide complaint that the Dog has exhibited aggressive the Dog may be deemed to be an Aggressive Dog DANGEROUS DOG has the same meaning as in the Community Charter as amended. may seize a Dangerous Dog, pursuant to section 49 of the Community the Dog may be reclassified as a Dangerous Dog |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Dangerous Dog: must be licensed as dangerous, and the dog must be sterilized (vet confirmation). Off the owner's property: collar and leash of at most 1.8 m and effectively muzzled. Warning sign "Warning: Dangerous Dog on Premises" at every entry point (red letters, at least 2.5 cm high, sign at least 15 cm by 15 cm). Kept indoors, or outdoors in an enclosure with a roof and locked entry. Photo to the District. Must notify the officer if the dog is at large, the owner or residence changes, or the dog is given away or dies. Seven days to comply after being deemed dangerous. Aggressive Dog: collar and leash of at most 1.8 m off the owner's property; the owner may apply for relief after at least one year with no further complaints.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 6.2 to 6.6; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 5.3, 5.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo person shall own or keep any Dangerous Dog unless the Dog is licensed as a Dangerous Dog written confirmation from a licensed veterinarian that the Dog has been Sterilized keep the Dog effectively muzzled when not on the Owner’s property “Warning: Dangerous Dog on Premises” securely confined indoors or outdoors in an enclosure with a roof and locked entry The Owner of a Dangerous Dog has seven (7) days to come into compliance Every Owner of an Aggressive Dog shall secure the Dog by a collar and Leash that is a maximum length of 1.8 metres may apply to the Municipality for relief from the requirements of Section 5.3 |
| Licence fee | $100 a year for a Dangerous Dog licence.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 838, 2021, Schedule I, Schedule I, Pet Licensing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDangerous dog licence fee $100 |
| How to report | Contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer: 250-865-4024 or bylaw@elkford.ca. The bylaw acts on a "bona fide complaint".Bylaws Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingReports can be filed by contacting the Bylaw Enforcement Officer using the button above, calling 250-865-4024 or at bylaw@elkford.ca. receives a bona fide complaint that a Dog has exhibited behaviour |
| Fine | Not confirmed. The ticket schedule is scanned and could not be read. |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidation including Amendment Bylaws No. 896, 2024 and No. 947, 2026). Dangerous dog meaning follows the Community Charter (s. 49).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “District of Elkford Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021”. |
How it works
Under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021, an Aggressive Dog is one that, without justifiable provocation, showed aggressive behaviour toward a person or animal or caused a minor injury. After a bona fide complaint the officer may give a written warning. On a second bona fide complaint the officer may deem the dog Aggressive by written notice. A Dangerous Dog has the meaning in the Community Charter; the officer may seize it under s. 49 of that Act or deem it Dangerous by written notice. An Aggressive Dog that offends again after relief is granted may be reclassified as Dangerous.
Steps
- To report a dog, contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-865-4024 or bylaw@elkford.ca, or use the online reporting tool on the bylaws page. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
- If your dog is deemed dangerous, comply within seven days.
- Dangerous Dog: licence it as dangerous and have it sterilized (veterinarian confirmation). Put a "Warning: Dangerous Dog on Premises" sign at every entry point (red letters at least 2.5 cm high, sign at least 15 cm by 15 cm). Keep it indoors, or outdoors in an enclosure with a roof and locked entry. Send the District a photo.
- Off your property, a dangerous dog needs a collar, a leash of at most 1.8 metres and an effective muzzle. An aggressive dog needs the collar and leash.
- Tell the officer if the dog is at large, your address changes, or the dog is given away or dies.
Good to know
- The $100 licence is in Schedule I of the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 838, 2021.
- For an aggressive dog, you may apply for relief after at least one year with no further complaints.
- The bylaw sets a municipal ticket fine of $100 to $1,000 and says the ticket for an at-large dog may be greater for an aggressive or dangerous dog. The ticket schedule is a scanned document we could not read.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Canal Flats · Fernie · Cranbrook · Kimberley · Invermere
Sources
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 838, 2021, Schedule I (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaws Enforcement, District of Elkford (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.