---
title: Lake Country rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Lake Country?"
place: Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lake-country
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: regional
owner_body: Regional District of Central Okanagan
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Lake Country rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

**Question:** What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Lake Country?

**Short answer:** In Lake Country, the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Dog Control handles aggressive and dangerous dogs. An Animal Control Officer decides how a dog is classed. Report a dog at 250-469-6284. Owners face strict rules on leashing, enclosures, signs and higher fees.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of Central Okanagan, https://www.rdco.com)  
**Cost:** Licence fees: aggressive dog $100 (spayed or neutered) or $150 (not); dangerous dog $500; nuisance dog $40 or $80. No early discount applies. Fines: aggressive dog $300; dangerous dog $1,000.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: RDCO Dog Control, 250-469-6284
- Phone: After hours, for a dog attacking people or other dogs (24 hours), 604-815-6006
- Phone: Emergency, 9-1-1

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** An Animal Control Officer decides. Aggressive: a dog that has attacked, bitten, injured or tried to attack, bite or injure a person or domestic animal. Dangerous: a dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal. Nuisance: at large or impounded 3 times in 12 months, or repeatedly charging a fence.
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, s. 6, 9](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive dog means any dog that has attacked, bitten, or caused injury or attempted" … "Dangerous Dog means any dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or" … "The Animal Control Officer may determine whether a dog is “dangerous” or" … "Nuisance Dog means any dog that has been At Large or impounded three times in the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** Aggressive dog outside the home: on a securely held leash or in a fenced yard to Schedule C. Dangerous dog: leash and tightly fastened muzzle, or a locked enclosure; warning signs at front and back of the property; microchip within 15 days of the declaration. Both banned from parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports fields and school grounds.
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, s. 37-41](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "keep the Aggressive Dog controlled on a leash securely held; or" … "keep the Dangerous Dog controlled on a leash securely held and a muzzle tightly" … "shall post a sign visible to the public at the front and" … "be implanted within 15 days of Declaration"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Aggressive dog $100 (spayed or neutered) or $150 (not). Dangerous dog $500. Nuisance dog $40 or $80. No early discount applies.
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, Schedule B (d)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Licensing for Nuisance, Aggressive, and Dangerous Dogs" … "Aggressive Dog $100 $150" … "Dangerous Dog $500 $500"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Nuisance, aggressive and dangerous dog licence fees](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Nuisance dogs (spayed/neutered) $40 Nuisance dogs (not spayed/neutered) $80 Aggressive dogs (spayed/neutered) $100 Aggressive dogs (not spayed/neutered) $150 Dangerous dogs" … "$100 Aggressive dogs (not spayed/neutered) $150 Dangerous dogs $500 Definitions: - Nuisance dogs: Any dog that has been at large or impounded three times in the last 12 months or whose owner has been issued a Bylaw Offence Notice or Municipal Ticket three times in the last 12 months, or a dog that is menacing by repeatedly charging or lunging at a fence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Call RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or submit a service request. After hours, for a dog attacking people or other dogs: 604-815-6006 (24 hours).
  - Source: [Dog Complaints, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Dog complaints page](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/)
  - Official wording: "For general complaints, including dog attacks, dogs at large or off-leash dogs, please call Dog Control at 250-469-6284" … "Emergency (after-hours): 604-815-6006" … "A dog that is attacking other dogs or people"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: aggressive dog $300; dangerous dog $1,000; dangerous dog in prohibited area $1,000 (aggressive $300); failing to control or enclose a dangerous dog $1,000 (aggressive $300); no signs or microchip for a dangerous dog $300. Bylaw notice lists $300 for the aggressive-dog and sign/microchip rows. RDCO says these are not in adjudication.
  - Source: [Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, Schedule B, Appendix 1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive Dog 35 300.00" … "Dangerous Dog 36 1,000.00" … "Fail to control/enclose dangerous dog 39, 39.1, 39.2 1,000.00" … "Fail to post signage, or microchip – dangerous dog 40 & 41 300.00"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, Schedule A, Appendix 1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/vovoh2ok/bl1538-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog in prohibited area, 37 300.00 25.00 25.00 Y aggressive Fail to control/enclose 38, 38.1, 300.00 25.00 25.00 Y aggressive dog 38.2 Fail to post signage or 40 & 41 300.00 25.00 25.00 Y microchip dangerous dog"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (RDCO Dog Control covers Lake Country).
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, s. 2 (citation)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014"
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan, Preamble](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of Lake Country"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The RDCO enforces its [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw 1343](<https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf>) in Lake Country. An Animal Control Officer decides a dog's class. Aggressive means a dog that has attacked, bitten or injured, or tried to attack, bite or injure, a person or domestic animal. Dangerous means a dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal. Nuisance means a dog at large or impounded 3 times in 12 months, or one that repeatedly charges a fence.

## Steps

1. To report a dog, call RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or submit a service request on the RDCO website.
2. After hours, for a dog attacking people or other dogs, call 604-815-6006 (24 hours). For an emergency call 9-1-1.
3. If your dog is classed aggressive, keep it on a securely held leash or in a fenced yard that meets Schedule C when outside the home.
4. If your dog is classed dangerous, keep it on a leash with a tightly fastened muzzle, or in a locked enclosure. Post warning signs at the front and back of the property, and microchip the dog within 15 days of the declaration.

## Good to know

- Aggressive and dangerous dogs are banned from parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports fields and school grounds.
- A dangerous dog's enclosure must be at least 1.83 m high, 1.22 m wide and 2.44 m long (Schedule C).
- Municipal ticket amounts: aggressive dog $300; dangerous dog $1,000. Failing to control or enclose a dangerous dog is $1,000 (aggressive $300). No signs or microchip for a dangerous dog is $300.
- RDCO says aggressive and dangerous dog incidents are not in the adjudication program.
- Bear and wildlife reports go to the Conservation Officer Service, 1-877-952-7277.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Complaints, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/)
- [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Lake Country dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-licence.md)
- [Lake Country dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/how-many-pets.md)
- [Lake Country bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Burning Permit | District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/openburning) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Dog Complaints, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Dog Licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/vovoh2ok/bl1538-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Regional District of Central Okanagan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dangerous-dogs/_