Sooke rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Sooke?
Short answer
In Sooke, a dangerous dog is one that has killed or seriously injured a person or a domestic animal, or that an Animal Control Officer believes is likely to. Owners must post a sign, keep the dog confined and muzzle and leash it off the property. Report bites to CRD Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | A 'dangerous dog' is one that has killed or seriously injured a person; has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal in a public place or on private property other than the owner's; or that an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The bylaw does not describe a formal declaration or appeal process.Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, s. 2(i); Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District, Dog bites · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“Dangerous Dog” means a dog which meets one or more of the has killed or seriously injured a person, which an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to Some investigations may result in issuing an aggressive dog or dangerous dog designations. |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Post a sign with words and a symbol at each entrance where the dog is kept, readable from the street. Keep the dog securely confined in a building or enclosure that prevents its escape and the entry of children under 12. Off the property the dog must be on a leash, tether or other device not over 2 metres, securely muzzled, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person.Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, ss. 39-41 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwarning in writing, as well as with a symbol, that there is an dangerous dog on the property. device not exceeding two metres in length, is securely muzzled so as to enclosure capable of preventing the dog’s escape and the entry of |
| Licence fee | Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 lists $95 (regular discounted fee, before March 1 only), $100 (regular fee) and $110 (late fee); the last two headings both say 'March 1st only', so dates are unclear. The CRD page lists $95, $100 and $120.Sources differ: Conflict: the CRD Licensing page lists a dangerous dog licence at $95 early, $100 regular, $120 late. Follows Bylaw No. 752.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous Dog $95.00 $100.00 $110.00 (Before March 1st only) |
| How to report | Contact CRD Animal Care Services at 250.478.0624 or use the CRD online complaint form; say what happened, when and where, what the dog looks like, owner and witness details, and photos of injuries. Email animalservices@crd.bc to add information.Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District, Dog bites · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingContact our office at 250.478.0624 or complete an online complaint form. Do you have photos of injuries, before and after treatment? |
| Fine | Municipal tickets: dangerous dog at large $150 (s. 40); failure to confine a dangerous dog $150 (s. 41); failure to post the dangerous dog sign $50 (s. 39).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836, Schedule B1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording40 Dangerous dog at large $150.00 41 Failure to confine dangerous dog $150.00 39 Failure to post dangerous dog sign $50.00 |
| Bylaw | Bylaw No. 392, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw, 2009Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBylaw No. 392, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw, 2009 |
How it works
Under the Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, a dangerous dog is one that has killed or seriously injured a person; has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal in a public place or on private property other than the owner's; or that an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The bylaw does not describe a formal declaration or appeal process.
Steps
To report a bite or attack:
- Phone CRD Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624, or use the CRD online complaint form.
- Say what happened, when and where, what the dog looks like, owner and witness details, and give photos of injuries.
- To add information later, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca. The CRD asks for your name, address and phone number.
Good to know
- Owners must post a sign, with words and a symbol, at each entrance where the dog is kept, readable from the street.
- The dog must be kept securely confined in a building or enclosure that prevents its escape and the entry of children under 12.
- Off the property, the dog must be on a leash, tether or other device not over 2 metres, securely muzzled, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person.
- Tickets: $150 for a dangerous dog at large, $150 for failing to confine one and $50 for failing to post the sign.
- Dangerous dog licence: the Fees and Charges Bylaw lists $95, $100 and $110, with unclear dates. The CRD page lists $95, $100 and $120. Confirm with the CRD.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Metchosin · Langford · Colwood · Highlands · View Royal · Esquimalt
Sources
- Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Complaints, Capital Regional District (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.