Esquimalt rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Esquimalt?

Esquimalt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

How it works

Under Part 5 of the Animal Management Bylaw No. 2841, an animal control officer (which includes bylaw enforcement officers and police officers) may designate a dog as dangerous if it:

• has injured, bitten or killed a person or animal;
• has aggressively pursued, threatened or harassed a person or animal without provocation;
• has a known tendency to attack without provocation; or
• was already designated and endangers safety.

The officer sets how long the designation lasts and must tell the owner in writing.

Steps (if your dog is designated)

1. In public places and on private land, keep the dog firmly held on a leash of 2.4 m or less by a competent person, with a properly fitted humane basket muzzle.
2. On your own exclusive private area, the dog may be unmuzzled only if securely confined indoors, on a deck at least 3 m above ground, or in a locked rear-yard pen or fenced area inspected and approved by an animal control officer.
3. Buy the dangerous dog sign ($25) and post it at each entrance.
4. Report immediately if the dog is loose or bites, allow photographs on demand, and report a move, sale or death within two working days.

Good to know

• To report a dangerous dog, contact Victoria Animal Control Services at 250-414-0233 or vacs@shaw.ca, or the Township Bylaw Management Officer at 250-414-7161 (complaints in writing). After hours and weekends call VicPD at 250-995-7654. In an emergency call 9-1-1.
• Bylaw notices: dangerous dog not leashed and muzzled in public, or on private land contrary to conditions $400 ($350 if paid early); owner duties not met $250 ($187 early); sign not displayed, displayed wrongly, or defaced or removed $100 ($75 early).