Kamloops rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
Kamloops bans dangerous dogs outright and tightly controls "aggressive" dogs: licence, muzzle, secure enclosure, microchip and $2,000,000 liability insurance. The rules are in the City of Kamloops Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42. Report a dog to Community Services at 250-828-3409.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | The Bylaw Manager has the authority and discretion to decide whether a dog is dangerous or aggressive, and can change it at any time. Dangerous: has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal (in a public place or on others' property), or an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. Aggressive: for example an unprovoked dog that has attacked, bitten or injured a person.Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, s. 304; s. 201 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Bylaw Manager shall have the authority and the discretion to determine whether a dog is a “dangerous dog” or an “aggressive dog” and to change such a designation at any time has killed or seriously injured a person; an unprovoked dog that has attacked, bitten, or caused injury to a person |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Dangerous dog: no one may own, possess or harbour one in the City. Aggressive dog: muzzle off own property; enclosure at least 1.83 m high, 1.22 m wide, 2.44 m long with 'No Unauthorized Entry' and 'Aggressive Dog' signs; indoors, in the enclosure or on a leash (max 2.0 m) when at home; microchip; $2,000,000 liability insurance; never off leash or in off-leash areas.Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, ss. 1201, 602, 1303, 1305, 1306, 1309 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall own, possess, or harbour a dangerous dog within the city. at least 1.83 m (6 ft.) in height, 1.22 m (4 ft.) in width, and 2.44 m (8 ft.) in length unless the dog is muzzled to prevent it from biting a person or other animal shall cause an electronic microchip identification to be implanted upon the dog maintain valid liability insurance no less than $2,000,000 in value |
| Licence fee | $205 a year for an aggressive dog licence, payable as soon as the dog is deemed aggressive (if already licensed that year, pay the difference). The fee schedule lists no dangerous-dog licence; a dangerous dog may not be kept in the City.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule I; Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, ss. 1307, 1201 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor each aggressive dog $205.00 Any dog deemed aggressive shall immediately require an aggressive dog licence for the current year No person shall own, possess, or harbour a dangerous dog within the city. |
| How to report | Phone Community Services at 250-828-3409, use the online Request for Service form (choose Dog Licensing/Concerns), email, or write to Community Services, 1303 Mission Flats Road. For an emergency call 911.Request for Service, Community Services, page; Request for Service, Community Services, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPhone 250-828-3409 This is not an emergency response service. If there is an emergency situation that requires police, fire, or ambulance, please phone 911. Community Services Officers are able to follow up on service requests related to bylaw infractions such as noise, dog, parking |
| Fine | Possess or harbour a dangerous dog $1,000. Aggressive dog: running at large $1,000; no muzzle $500; no proper enclosure $500; not secured $500; no insurance $500; unlicensed $400; in off-leash area $250; no microchip $250.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule E · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPossess or harbour a dangerous dog 1201 $1,000.00 Aggressive dog running at large 1301 $1,000.00 Fail to muzzle an aggressive dog 1303 $500.00 Aggressive dog unlicensed 1308 $400.00 Fail to provide microchip identification 1306 $250.00 |
| Bylaw | Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, 2011Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“City of Kamloops Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, 2011” |
How it works
The Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42 sets categories in the City of Kamloops. The Bylaw Manager decides, and can change, whether a dog is dangerous or aggressive.
- Dangerous: the dog has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal in a public place or on others' property, or an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. No one may own, possess or harbour one in the City.
- Aggressive: for example an unprovoked dog that has attacked, bitten or injured a person, or one designated aggressive or vicious in another jurisdiction.
- Nuisance: a separate category: three impounds or at-large tickets in 12 months.
Rules for an aggressive dog
- Pay the $205 aggressive dog licence as soon as the dog is deemed aggressive (if already licensed that year, pay the difference).
- Muzzle it off your own property.
- At home, keep it indoors, in the enclosure, or on a leash no longer than 2 m.
- Build an enclosure at least 1.83 m high, 1.22 m wide and 2.44 m long, with "No Unauthorized Entry" and "Aggressive Dog" signs.
- Microchip it and carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance.
- Never take it off leash or into an off-leash area.
Good to know
- Tickets: possessing or harbouring a dangerous dog $1,000. For an aggressive dog: running at large $1,000; no muzzle, no proper enclosure, not secured, or no insurance $500 each; unlicensed $400; in an off-leash area or no microchip $250 each.
- A nuisance dog needs a $105 licence; running at large or unlicensed is a $200 ticket.
- The bylaw also requires a signed Release and Waiver of Liability form and one week's notice to the Bylaw Manager before you move an aggressive dog.
- To report a dog, phone Community Services, use the online Request for Service form, or email. In an emergency call 911.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sun Peaks · Barriere · Logan Lake · Ashcroft · Merritt · Enderby
Sources
- Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule I (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule E (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Request for Service, Community Services, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
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.