Metchosin rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Metchosin?
Short answer
In Metchosin, the Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog is "aggressive" or "dangerous". These dogs must be on a non-extendable leash in public (muzzled if dangerous) and confined at home. Licences cost $75 (aggressive) and $100 (dangerous). Report an attack to the CRD at 250-478-0624.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | The Animal Control Officer designates a dog "aggressive" if, without justifiable provocation, it showed aggressive behaviour toward a person or domestic animal or caused a minor injury. "Dangerous dog" is as defined in Community Charter s. 49: a dog that has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal in a public place or on others' property, or that the officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The officer decides.Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 2, s. 38(e); Community Charter, Part 3 (s. 49), BC Laws, Community Charter s. 49(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingaggressive dog means a dog that has been designated as such by the Animal Control Officer dangerous dog has the same meaning as designate a dog to be an aggressive dog or a dangerous dog, and make orders in writing in 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, an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. |
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| Rules for owners | Aggressive or dangerous dog: on a highway, park or other public place only if firmly held on a non-extendable leash by a competent person (a dangerous dog also muzzled). At home: aggressive dog indoors, in a fenced area or tethered; dangerous dog indoors or in a locked, enclosed pen at least 1.82 m long, 1.22 m wide and 1.82 m high, with no other dog. A dangerous dog needs a warning sign at each entrance. Only dangerous dog owners must be 19 or older.Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 33-36 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmust not cause or allow the dog to be on a highway, park or other public place in an enclosed pen that is: must display a sign at each entrance to the premises where the dog A person under the age of 19 years must not own or keep a dangerous dog must not cause or allow the dog to be on a highway, park or other public place, or on any A person under the age of 19 years must not own or keep a dangerous dog or have the care and |
| Licence fee | Dangerous dog licence $100; aggressive dog licence $75 (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 696, Schedule 2; also Bylaw 692 Schedule A). The CRD page lists the dangerous dog licence at $95 early, $100 regular, $120 late.Sources differ: Regular amounts match for dangerous dogs ($100); the CRD page adds early and late amounts that the bylaw does not set. Marked conflict because of those extra amounts.Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, Schedule A; Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, Fees and Charges Bylaw 696, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous Dog Licence $100.00 Aggressive Dog Licence $75.00 | Dangerous dog license | $95 | $100 | $120 Aggressive dog licence $75.00 Dargerous dog licence $100.00 |
| How to report | Call CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624 (or use the CRD online complaint form). Give what happened, when and where, a description of the dog and owner and witness contact details. Name, address and phone are required; anonymous reports are not investigated.Animal Regulation, Bylaw and Animal Care Services; Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District, Dog Bites and Attacks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease contact CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624 for complaints and for animal control matters such as Contact our office at 250.478.0624 or complete an online complaint form. We do not take anonymous reports, they will not be investigated. |
| Fine | Municipal tickets (Schedule 5), amount if paid within 30 days / after: aggressive or dangerous dog on leash rules or confinement $250 / $300; aggressive or dangerous dog at large $500 / $500; failure to display sign $100 / $150; failure to notify $150 / $200.Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2004, No. 475, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording13. Aggressive/dangerous dog on leash 33(a)(i) $250 $300 14. Dangerous dog not muzzled 33(a)(ii) $250 $300 17. Aggressive/dangerous dog at large 33(b) $500 $500 19. Failure to display sign 34 $100 $150 20. Failure to notify 35 $150 $200 |
| Bylaw | District of Metchosin Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the District of Metchosin Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692. |
How it works
Under the District's Animal Control Bylaw No. 692, the Animal Control Officer designates a dog "aggressive" if, without justifiable provocation, it showed aggressive behaviour toward a person or domestic animal or caused a minor injury. A "dangerous dog" is as defined in Community Charter s. 49: one that has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal in a public place or on others' property, or that the officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.
Steps
- To report an attack or bite, call CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624, or use the CRD's online complaint form.
- Give what happened, when and where, a description of the dog and its owner, and any witnesses' contact details.
Good to know
- In public (a highway, park or other public place), an aggressive or dangerous dog must be firmly held on a non-extendable leash by a competent person. A dangerous dog must also be muzzled.
- At home, an aggressive dog must be indoors, in a fenced area or tethered. A dangerous dog must be indoors or in a locked, enclosed pen at least 1.82 m long, 1.22 m wide and 1.82 m high, with no other dog. It also needs a warning sign at each entrance.
- Only dangerous dog owners must be 19 or older.
- Owners must tell the Animal Control Officer if the dog is loose or bites, and within 2 business days of a transfer or death.
- Municipal tickets (paid within 30 days of being served, or after): leash or confinement rules $250 or $300; at large $500 either way; no warning sign $100 or $150; failure to notify $150 or $200.
- The CRD page lists the dangerous dog licence at $95 early, $100 regular and $120 late, so you may be invoiced at CRD rates.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Colwood · Langford · View Royal · Sooke · Esquimalt · Victoria
Sources
- Animal Regulation, District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-06)
- Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
- Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2004, No. 475, District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
- Community Charter, Part 3 (s. 49), BC Laws (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. How answers are checked.