Princeton rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In Princeton, the Animal Control Bylaw covers "vicious dogs". A vicious dog must be muzzled and on a leash no longer than 2 m in public, and securely confined at home. The licence is $375 a year, and the ticket for a breach is $500.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | The bylaw uses the term 'vicious dog': a dog that, by Town or Poundkeeper records or to its owner's knowledge, has killed or injured an animal or a person, or without provocation aggressively chased or threatened a person; a dog bred for fighting or training for it; or a dog with a known tendency to attack without provocation.Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006, s. 2, "vicious dog" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording“vicious dog” means has killed or injured an animal or a human or which has, without provocation, aggressively chased or threatened a human a dog specifically bred for fighting or training purposes a dog with a known tendency, propensity or disposition to attack animals or humans without provocation |
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| Rules for owners | In a public place or at large, a vicious dog must be muzzled, on a chain or leash not over 2 m long, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person skilled in animal control. On the owner's premises it must be securely confined indoors or in an enclosed pen or structure that keeps the dog in and keeps unauthorized people out.Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006, s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmuzzled, on a chain or leash not exceeding two (2) meters in length, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person skilled in animal control securely confined either indoors or in an enclosed pen or other structure capable of preventing the entry of any unauthorized person |
| Licence fee | $375 a year (rate as at September 1, 2026).Sources differ: Conflict: the Animal Control Bylaw's Schedule A (2006) says $300.00; Fees and Charges Bylaw 1026 Schedule H sets $375 from September 1, 2026 (the later rate). Schedule H's description of H04 oddly mentions 'service dog' documentation, which looks like a copy error.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule H, Schedule H, H04; Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingH04 Vicious Dog $ 310.00 $ 325.00 $ 340.00 $ 360.00 $ 375.00 Spayed or Neutered Dog $10.00 Unspayed or Unneutered Dog $30.00 Vicious Dog $300.00 Duplicate or Transfer Licence $5.00 Z:\Bylaws\Bylaw 782, 2006 Animal Control.doc |
| How to report | Submit a bylaw complaint with the Town's online complaint form, in writing at The Annex (231 Bridge Street) or Town Hall (151 Vermilion Avenue), or contact Bylaw Services: direct line 778-720-6114, telephone 250-295-3135, bylaw@princeton.ca.Bylaw Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingWritten complaints may be submitted at The Annex, 231 Bridge Street, OR Town Hall, 151 Vermilion Avenue, during regular business hours. Direct Line: 778-720-6114 Email: bylaw@princeton.ca |
| Fine | Unmuzzled vicious dog: $500. Unconfined vicious dog: $500.Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006, Schedule C · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUnmuzzled vicious dog 12(a) $500.00 Unconfined vicious dog 12(b) $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Animal Control Bylaw, No. 782, 2006” |
How it works
The Town's Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006 uses the term "vicious dog". That is a dog that, by Town or Poundkeeper records or to its owner's knowledge, has killed or injured an animal or a person, or aggressively chased or threatened a person without provocation. It also covers a dog bred for fighting or trained for it, and a dog with a known tendency to attack without provocation. There is no "aggressive" or "dangerous" category, and the bylaw names no formal declaration step or who decides.
Good to know
- In a public place or at large, a vicious dog must be muzzled, on a chain or leash no longer than 2 m, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person skilled in animal control.
- On the owner's premises, it must be securely confined indoors or in an enclosed pen or structure that keeps the dog in and keeps unauthorized people out.
- The licence for a vicious dog is $375 a year, at the rate in the Fees and Charges Bylaw, Schedule H. The bylaw's own Schedule A (2006) still says $300; confirm with Town Hall.
- Tickets are $500 for an unmuzzled vicious dog and $500 for an unconfined one.
- To report a dog, use the Town's online complaint form, or hand a written complaint in at The Annex (231 Bridge Street) or Town Hall (151 Vermilion Avenue). Or contact Bylaw Services: 778-720-6114, 250-295-3135, bylaw@princeton.ca. The page does not mention bites specifically.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Oliver
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 782, 2006 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule H (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Services, Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
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.