{"title":"Kelowna rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Kelowna?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Regional District of Central Okanagan","url":"https://www.rdco.com"},"short_answer":"Report a dog attack in Kelowna to regional Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or use its online complaint form. The regional district has a separate after-hours emergency line.","aliases":[],"cost":"An aggressive dog costs $100 if altered or $150 if unaltered. A dangerous dog costs $500 regardless of alteration. No early discount applies.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Animal incident reports","value":"250-469-6284"},{"type":"phone","label":"Animal incident reports (attack in progress after hours)","value":"604-815-6006"},{"type":"phone","label":"Animal incident reports (attack in progress after hours)","value":"1-888-670-2417"}],"documents":[],"forms":[],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Kelowna dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dog-leash-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs/"},"facts":{"how_declared":{"label":"How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive","value":"An animal control officer determines whether a dog has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal under section 49 of the Community Charter.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN (PDF)","section":"Part 1, definition of Dangerous Dog","quotes":["Dangerous Dog means any dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal as determined by an Animal Control Officer in accordance with section 49 of the Community Charter and its amendments."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Outside the home or a closed vehicle, use a securely held leash and fastened muzzle, or a locked enclosure inaccessible to children and the public. Post warning signs at the front and back of the property and provide proof of microchipping to the regional district. Park and sports-field exclusions also apply.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN (PDF)","section":"Sections 37 and 39–41","quotes":["37.    No Owner shall allow a Dangerous Dog or an Aggressive Dog into any sports field, playground, public beach, swimming area, park, off-leash park, or school grounds at any time.","39.   When a Dangerous Dog is outside its Owner’s House or Dwelling Unit and not kept within a closed vehicle, the Owner shall: (1) keep the Dangerous Dog controlled on a leash securely held and a muzzle tightly fastened; or (2) keep the Dangerous Dog within a locked Enclosure incapable of being accessed by the public or children and in accordance with Schedule ‘C’. 40.   An Owner of a Dangerous Dog shall post a sign visible to the public at the front and back of his or her property warning that a Dangerous Dog resides on the property in accordance with Schedule ‘F’ of this Bylaw. 41.   An Owner of a Dangerous Dog shall obtain a microchip and provide the Regional"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"An aggressive dog costs $100 if altered or $150 if unaltered. A dangerous dog costs $500 regardless of alteration. No early discount applies.","short":"Dangerous $500; aggressive $100 ($150 if unaltered)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan (PDF)","section":"Schedule B(d), annual licence fees by designation","quotes":["(d)   Licensing for Nuisance, Aggressive, and Dangerous Dogs                                    Bylaw 1394 (no early discounted rate applies) Altered         Unaltered Nuisance Dog            $ 40            $ 80 Aggressive Dog          $100            $150 Dangerous Dog           $500            $500"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Report attacks to regional Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or online. For an attack in progress after hours call 604-815-6006 or 1-888-670-2417.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/","title":"Dog complaints","section":"General complaints / After-hours emergencies","quotes":["For general complaints, including dog attacks, dogs at large or off-leash dogs, please call Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or submit a service request.","Our after-hours emergency line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use this number outside of regular hours if you find: * A seriously injured stray dog * A dog that is attacking other dogs or people Emergency (after-hours): 604-815-6006 Toll-free: 1-888-670-2417"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"On a regional municipal ticket, failure to control or enclose a dangerous dog is $1,000, compared with $300 for an aggressive dog. Missing mandatory dangerous-dog signage or microchipping is $300.","short":"Ticket $1,000 dangerous; $300 aggressive","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan (PDF)","section":"Responsible Dog Ownership schedule, sections 35–41","quotes":["34     150.00 a fence Aggressive Dog                                                                35     300.00 Dangerous Dog                                                                 36    1,000.00 Dog in prohibited area, dangerous dog                                         37    1,000.00 Dog in prohibited area, aggressive dog                                        37     300.00 Fail to control/enclose dangerous dog                              39, 39.1, 39.2   1,000.00 Fail to control/enclose aggressive dog                             38, 38.1, 38.2    300.00 Fail to post signage, or microchip – dangerous dog                       40 & 41     300.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN (PDF)","section":"PDF p. 11","quotes":["RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP BYLAW NO. 1343"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nDescribe what the dog did and where it happened. Details such as pursuit, a bite, an injury or the presence of another animal help an officer distinguish the incident you saw from a description of the dog's temperament. For an attack in progress after hours call 604-815-6006 or 1-888-670-2417.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. For the local definition and reporting information, consult [Dog complaints](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/). Write down the location, time and sequence of events. Identify what you saw yourself and how an officer can reach any witnesses.\n2. Use the reporting information below or the animal-control contact in the linked rules. If you receive a designation, read the conditions before taking the dog into a public place.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Outside the home or a closed vehicle, use a securely held leash and fastened muzzle, or a locked enclosure inaccessible to children and the public. Post warning signs at the front and back of the property and provide proof of microchipping to the regional district. Park and sports-field exclusions also apply.\n- An aggressive dog costs $100 if altered or $150 if unaltered. A dangerous dog costs $500 regardless of alteration. No early discount applies.\n- On a regional municipal ticket, failure to control or enclose a dangerous dog is $1,000, compared with $300 for an aggressive dog. Missing mandatory dangerous-dog signage or microchipping is $300.\n- An animal control officer determines whether a dog has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal under section 49 of the Community Charter.\n- Read the applicable provisions in [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf) and [Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/","title":"Dog complaints","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-09","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs.json"}}