Fruitvale rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Fruitvale?
Short answer
In Fruitvale, an Animal Control Officer can designate a dog as dangerous after an unprovoked bite or attack. The owner must then leash and muzzle it in public, confine it securely at home, show proof of spay or neuter and $1,000,000 liability insurance, and pay a $200 yearly licence.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | An Animal Control Officer may designate a dog as dangerous if it bites a human or animal without provocation, has a known tendency to attack without provocation, or was already designated and still endangers a person or animal. The officer sets the length of the designation and must tell the owner in writing. (The definition also lets the Poundkeeper or a Police Officer deem a dog dangerous.)Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984, 2025, ss. 51 to 53; Part 3 definition of "Dangerous Dog" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAn Animal Control Officer may designate a Dog as a Dangerous Dog if the Dog: After designating a Dog as a Dangerous Dog, an Animal Control Officer must inform the Owner of the Dog in writing means a Dog which has been deemed to be dangerous by the Poundkeeper, Animal Control Officer, or Police Officer |
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| Rules for owners | In public places, and on any private land, the dog must be firmly held by a competent person on a leash not over 2.4 m and wear a humane basket muzzle. At home it must be securely confined indoors, on a deck at least 3 m above ground, or in a locked, approved rear-yard pen. It may not be on school grounds or within 30 m of playground apparatus. For a licence the owner must show proof of spaying or neutering and $1,000,000 liability insurance. The owner must also report moves, sale, death or escape.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984, 2025, ss. 54 to 58 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingfirmly held by a person competent to restrain the Dog on a leash not exceeding 2.4 metres in length properly fitted with a humane basket muzzle that allows the Dog to pant and drink proof of liability insurance in the sum of $1,000,000 immediately advise an Animal Control Officer or the Poundkeeper if the dog is loose or has bitten or attacked any person or animal |
| Licence fee | $200 a year (January 1 to December 31); $100 if bought September 1 to December 31.Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 982, 2025, consolidated, Appendix 2, Animal Responsibility · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSpayed or neutered Dog $25.00 Annual Licence Intact Dog $75.00 Fee - January 1 Dangerous Dog $200.00 to December 31 Duplicate Licence $5.00 September 1 to Intact Dog $37.50 December 31 Dangerous Dog $100.00 License Fee for Surrender of current year tag (licence) from another |
| How to report | Report bylaw problems to the Village Office (250-367-7551, info@village.fruitvale.bc.ca) using the complaints form; anonymous complaints are not accepted. The owner of a dangerous dog must immediately tell an Animal Control Officer or the Poundkeeper if the dog has bitten or attacked.Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Complaints · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingResidents are also welcome to make a complaint in person at the Village Office (1947 Beaver Street, Fruitvale) or over the phone at 250-367-7551. Please note that the Village does not accept anonymous complaints. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: failing to confine a vicious dog $200; failing to post a warning $100. Municipal ticket: vicious dog not properly confined $500 ($450 if paid within 30 days); failing to post a warning sign $500 ($450). Bylaw 982 Appendix 2: failing to keep a vicious dog muzzled $100 (10 days), $130 (11 to 20 days), $150 (21 to 30 days); not securely confined $85, $100, $150.Sources differ: The three schedules disagree and still use "vicious dog" and the older bylaw numbers (922, 728).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 976, 2024, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility Bylaw (4D 55-58); Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 921, Schedule 5; Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 982, 2025, consolidated, Appendix 2, Penalties · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFailing to confine vicious $200 NO Failing to post warning $100 YES Vicious dog not properly confined 11 (f) 500 450 Failure to post sign warning of vicious 12 (h) 500 450 Failing to keep a vicious dog $100.00 $130.00 $150.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984, 2025, Part 4D (ss. 51 to 58).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984, 2025, Part 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw shall be known and cited for all purposes as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984, 2025”. |
How it works
Under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984 (Part 4D), an Animal Control Officer may designate a dog as dangerous if it bites a human or animal without provocation, has a known tendency to attack without provocation, or was already designated and still endangers a person or animal. The definition also lets the Poundkeeper or a Police Officer deem a dog dangerous. The officer sets how long the designation lasts and must tell the owner in writing.
Good to know
- In public places and on any private land, the dog must be firmly held by a competent person on a leash no longer than 2.4 m, and wear a humane basket muzzle.
- At home it must be securely confined indoors, on a deck at least 3 m above ground, or in a locked, approved rear-yard pen.
- It may not be on school grounds or within 30 m of playground apparatus.
- For the licence ($200 a year, or $100 from September 1), the owner must show proof of spaying or neutering and $1,000,000 liability insurance.
- The owner must report a move, sale, death or escape, and must tell an Animal Control Officer or the Poundkeeper right away if the dog bites or attacks.
- To report a problem, use the Village complaints form, email info@village.fruitvale.bc.ca or call 250-367-7551. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. In an emergency or if someone is hurt, call 9-1-1.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $200 for failing to confine a vicious dog and $100 for failing to post a warning. A municipal ticket is $500 ($450 if paid within 30 days) for either. The Village's Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw lists other amounts, and the schedules still use older bylaw numbers, so confirm with the Village.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sources
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 984, 2025 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Village of Fruitvale (read 2026-11-08)
- Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 982, 2025, consolidated (PDF), Village of Fruitvale (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 976, 2024 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 921 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale (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.