Saanich rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Saanich?
Short answer
In Saanich, an Animal Control Officer can declare a dog dangerous or aggressive. Owners then face strict rules: a muzzle and leash in public, secure confinement at home, and a yearly fee of $150 (dangerous) or $75 (aggressive). Report a dog to CRD Animal Services at 250-478-0624.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Dangerous dog: has killed or seriously injured a person; an Animal Control Officer reasonably believes it is likely to; or it killed or seriously injured a domestic animal off its owner's property. Aggressive dog: an officer believes repeated aggressive behaviour makes injury likely, or it caused a non-serious injury without provocation. Animal Control Officer: a CRD bylaw officer or Saanich police member.Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 1 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDANGEROUS DOG means a dog that has killed or caused a serious injury to a person AGGRESSIVE DOG means a dog which meets one or more of the following conditions repeated aggressive behaviour a Capital Regional District Bylaw Enforcement Officer any member of the Saanich Police Department |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Dangerous dog: in public or on others' land only firmly held on a non-extendable leash by a competent person and properly muzzled; at home kept indoors or in a locked pen (at least 1.82 m x 1.22 m x 1.82 m); warning sign at each entrance; nobody under 19 may own it or handle it in public. Aggressive dog: on a non-extendable leash held by a competent person in public, otherwise securely confined.Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, ss. 11.1 to 11.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwhich is muzzled by a properly fitted device The enclosed pen shall be at least 1.82 metres (6 feet) long, 1.22 metres (4 feet) wide and 1.82 metres (6 feet) high No person under the age of 19 shall own or keep a dangerous dog unless the dog is firmly held on a non-extendable leash by a person competent to restrain the dog |
| Licence fee | Dangerous dog $150; aggressive dog $75, for every such dog over four months old.Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 19.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe sum of $150.00 for every dangerous dog over the age of 4 months The sum of $75.00 for every aggressive dog over the age of 4 months |
| How to report | Report to CRD Animal Services: online Animal Complaint Form, animalservices@crd.bc.ca, 250-478-0624 (office) or 1-833-931-3585 (after-hours emergency).Dogs in Saanich, Dogs in Saanich page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFile an Animal Complaint Form through the CRD. You can also email animalservices@crd.bc.ca or call 250-478-0624 (office) or 1-833-931-3585 (after hours emergency). |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $500 if paid within 30 days, $750 after (dangerous or aggressive dog in public place, not confined, or aggressive dog at large); $150/$200 for not posting the sign, not notifying the officer or removing the sign. Bylaw notice: $500 (less $50 within 14 days), or $150. A court can impose minimum fines of $200 to $1,000 depending on injury (s. 72.2).Sources differ: Saanich's Dogs in Parks FAQ table shows "Aggressive dog running at large" at $200/$250 and a $1000 line for injury; the Ticket Bylaw 9029 says $500/$750, so the bylaw is followed. The FAQ page looks out of date.Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 8, ss. 11.1 to 11.9; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525, Schedule 8, ss. 11.1 to 11.9; Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 72.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous or aggressive dog in public place 11.1 $500.00 $750.00 Failing to Post Dangerous Dog Sign 11.7 $150.00 $200.00 Dangerous or aggressive dog in public place $500.00 $50.00 n/a the minimum fine shall be $1000,00 the minimum fine shall be $200.00 |
| Bylaw | Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMALS BYLAW, 2004, NO. 8556 |
How it works
Under the Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, an Animal Control Officer (a CRD bylaw officer or a Saanich police member) decides whether a dog is dangerous or aggressive.
- Dangerous dog: it has killed or seriously injured a person; an officer reasonably believes it is likely to; or it killed or seriously injured a domestic animal off its owner's property.
- Aggressive dog: an officer believes repeated aggressive behaviour makes injury likely, or it caused a non-serious injury without provocation.
Owner rules for a dangerous dog: in public or on others' land it must be firmly held on a non-extendable leash by a competent person and properly muzzled. At home it must be kept indoors or in a locked pen (at least 1.82 m x 1.22 m x 1.82 m), with a warning sign at each entrance. Nobody under 19 may own it or handle it in public.
For an aggressive dog: a non-extendable leash held by a competent person in public, otherwise securely confined.
The yearly fee is $150 for a dangerous dog and $75 for an aggressive dog.
Steps
- To report a dog, use the CRD Animal Complaint Form, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or call 250-478-0624. After hours in an emergency, call 1-833-931-3585.
- If you own a designated dog, tell the officer within two working days if you sell, give away or lose the dog to death, and immediately if it is loose or has bitten or attacked anyone.
Good to know
- A dangerous or aggressive dog not confined in a public place: a municipal ticket is $500 if paid within 30 days and $750 after; a bylaw notice is $500 (less $50 if paid within 14 days). Not posting the sign, not notifying the officer or removing the sign is $150/$200 as a ticket.
- A court can impose minimum fines of $200 to $1,000 depending on injury.
- The Dogs in Parks FAQ table lists lower amounts. The bylaw is followed here; confirm with Saanich.
- The Pound Keeper may impound such a dog for up to 14 days.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood
Sources
- Dogs in Saanich, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Dogs in Parks FAQ, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (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. How answers are checked.