Salt Spring Island rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
On Salt Spring Island, an unincorporated area, CRD Bylaw 1465 calls an animal dangerous if it has attacked, bitten, tried to attack or bite, or chased a person, animal or wildlife. A dangerous dog must be muzzled and on a leash, its property needs warning signs, and its owner needs a $100 dangerous dog licence.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Bylaw 1465 defines 'dangerous' as an animal that has attacked or bitten, tried to attack or bite, or chased any person, animal or wildlife (not a dog attacking animals molesting livestock). It does not say who declares it; the CRD says investigations may end in an aggressive or dangerous designation.CRD Bylaw No. 1465, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw (consolidated June 2023), s. 1(1) 'Dangerous'; Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District, Dog Bites and Attacks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmeans any animal that has attacked or bitten, attempted to attack or bite, or chased any person or animal or wildlife Some investigations may result in issuing an aggressive dog or dangerous dog designations. |
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| Rules for owners | Keep the dog muzzled and on a leash. A dangerous dog is never treated as under control. Post a warning sign at each entrance of the property and buildings, visible from the street. Dangerous dogs may be impounded and are banned from CRD community parks.CRD Bylaw No. 1465, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw (consolidated June 2023), ss. 1(2)(c), 14(b)-(c), 24(2); CRD Bylaw No. 3795, Community Parks Regulations, s. 8(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAn owner of a dangerous dog shall keep it muzzled and on a leash. must display a warning sign at each entrance of the property and buildings a dangerous animal is deemed not to be under the direct and continuous control of a person must not permit the dangerous dog to enter a community park |
| Licence fee | $100 for a Dangerous Dog Licence (the owner of a dog declared dangerous must buy it).CRD Bylaw No. 1465, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw (consolidated June 2023), s. 5(7), Sched. A (k); Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe owner of a dog declared dangerous must purchase a “Dangerous Dog Licence” Dangerous Dog License $100.00 Dangerous dog license | $95 | $100 | $120 |
| How to report | Call CRD 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, owner and witness details, and photos of injuries. Name, address and phone are required.Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District, Dog Bites and Attacks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingContact our office at 250.478.0624 or complete an online complaint form. The Capital Regional District (CRD) responds to animal complaints in: Please note we require your name, address and phone number to move forward with any complaint. |
| Fine | $150 for an uncontrolled dangerous dog (not muzzled and leashed); $50 for failing to display the dangerous dog sign (ticket).CRD Bylaw 1857, Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw, Sched. 9 items 8 and 10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUncontrolled Dangerous Dog 24 (2) $150.00 sign 14 (c) $50.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw No. 1465)CRD Bylaw No. 1465, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw (consolidated June 2023), title; Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 1, 1986 (Consolidated) | Capital Regional District, CRD bylaw directory · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMAL REGULATION AND IMPOUNDING BYLAW NO. 1, 1986 To regulate the keeping of animals within the Electoral Areas of the Capital Regional District. |
How it works
CRD Animal Care Services enforces Bylaw 1465 on Salt Spring Island. The bylaw defines "dangerous" as an animal that has attacked or bitten, tried to attack or bite, or chased any person, animal or wildlife. It does not say who declares a dog dangerous. The CRD says investigations may end in an aggressive or dangerous designation.
Steps
- Keep a dangerous dog muzzled and on a leash. It is never treated as under control.
- Post a warning sign at each entrance of the property and buildings, visible from the street.
- Buy a Dangerous Dog Licence: $100 under the bylaw.
To report a bite or attack, call CRD 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, owner and witness details, and photos of injuries. Name, address and phone are required.
Good to know
- Dangerous dogs may be impounded and are banned from CRD community parks.
- Tickets: $150 for a dangerous dog that is not muzzled and leashed, $50 for failing to display the sign.
- The CRD web page (fees as of June 11, 2025) lists the licence at $95 early, $100 regular and $120 late. Confirm with the CRD.
- The CRD complaints page lists extra requirements that it says apply "in some municipalities". They are not in Bylaw 1465.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sources
- CRD Bylaw No. 1465, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw (consolidated June 2023) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
- Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
- CRD Bylaw No. 3795, Community Parks Regulations (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- CRD Bylaw 1857, Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 1, 1986 (Consolidated) | Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
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.