Lions Bay rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Lions Bay?
Short answer
In Lions Bay, the Animal Control Bylaw covers aggressive dogs, and the Community Charter covers dangerous dogs. An aggressive dog must be kept indoors, in an enclosure, or on a leash of no more than 1.5 metres held by a competent adult. Report a dog to Bylaw Services in writing.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Bylaw 461: an 'aggressive dog' has attacked, bitten or injured a person (or shown a tendency to), hurt a domestic animal, aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal, or is kept for dog fighting. Community Charter s. 49: a 'dangerous dog' has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or an animal control officer reasonably believes it likely to; the officer may seize it.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 4.1 definitions; Community Charter, section 49, BC Laws, Community Charter s. 49(1)-(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga dog that has attacked, bitten or caused injury to a person or has demonstrated a a dog that has bitten, killed or caused injury to a domestic animal; a dog that has aggressively pursued or harassed a person or domestic animal; “Dangerous Dog” as defined by the Community Charter; has killed or seriously injured a person, has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal, while in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog, or an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. an animal control officer may seize a dog if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that the animal is a dangerous dog. |
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| Rules for owners | Keep the dog indoors, in an enclosure, or on a leash no longer than 1.5 m held by a competent adult (no retractable leash). A dog that has bitten must be muzzled in public. An aggressive dog must have a tattoo or permanent ID and warning signs at each entrance.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 8.1, 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingEvery owner of an aggressive or dangerous dog or other dangerous animal must at all on a leash or tether no more than 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) in length held by and under Every owner of an animal that has bitten a person or other pet must keep the Every owner of an aggressive dog must ensure that the dog can be identified by Every owner of an aggressive dog or a dangerous animal must post warning signs |
| Licence fee | None set. Lions Bay's Fees Bylaw lists no separate licence fee for an aggressive or dangerous dog.Read: Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665 |
| How to report | Complaints should be made in writing: the online complaint or witness form, email to bylaw@lionsbay.ca, or a letter to Bylaw Services at the Village Office. For urgency, call Bylaw Services at 604-834-3404; if there is voicemail, call the Village Office at 604-921-9333 in office hours.Bylaw Enforcement, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingComplaints should be made in writing using our online complaint or witness form, or by email to bylaw@lionsbay.ca calling Bylaw Services at 604-834-3404 call the Village Office at 604-921-9333 during regular office hours |
| Fine | Not confirmed. The bylaw notice schedule lists no ticket for the dangerous animal part of the bylaw. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No 461, 2014 (Part 8, Dangerous Animals).Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No 461, 2014” |
How it works
Two sets of rules apply in Lions Bay. The Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461 calls a dog "aggressive" if it has attacked, bitten or injured a person (or shown a tendency to), hurt a domestic animal, aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal, or is kept for dog fighting. Under the BC Community Charter, section 49, a "dangerous dog" has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or an animal control officer reasonably believes it likely to, and the officer may seize it. The bylaw does not say who decides that a dog is aggressive or how.
Steps
- To report a dog, use the online complaint or witness form, email bylaw@lionsbay.ca, or write to Bylaw Services at the Village Office.
- Give your name, address, contact information and your relationship to the property.
- If it is urgent, call Bylaw Services at 604-834-3404. If you get voicemail, call the Village Office at 604-921-9333 during office hours.
Good to know
- Owner rules (bylaw Part 8): keep the dog indoors, in an enclosure, or on a leash of no more than 1.5 metres held by a competent adult. Retractable leashes are not allowed. A dog that has bitten must be muzzled in public.
- An aggressive dog must have a tattoo or permanent identification, and warning signs at each entrance.
- The Fees Bylaw lists no separate licence fee for an aggressive or dangerous dog.
- The bylaw notice schedule lists no ticket for the dangerous animal part of the bylaw. Ask Bylaw Services how it is enforced.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
West Vancouver · Bowen Island · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Gibsons · Squamish
Sources
- Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Community Charter, section 49, BC Laws (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Making a Complaint, Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385, 2006, Schedule A (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.