{"title":"Summerland rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Summerland","url":"https://www.summerland.ca"},"short_answer":"In Summerland, a Dog Control Officer decides whether a dog is \"aggressive\" (has attacked or bitten) or \"dangerous\" (has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal). Both must be leashed or in a locked enclosure, and muzzled away from home. Dangerous dogs also need signs and a microchip.","aliases":["dog bite summerland","aggressive dog bylaw summerland","dangerous dog designation","muzzle dog summerland"],"cost":"No separate licence fee found; the ordinary fee applies. Impound fees: $300 first, $400 second, $500 third, $600 fourth and later. Bylaw notices $200 to $500; municipal tickets $500 to $1,000.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Animal Control","value":"250-492-3801","note":"9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed holidays. Call 911 in an emergency."},{"type":"email","label":"Animal Control","value":"dogs@penticton.ca","note":"Listed on summerland.ca. Complaints can also go to bylaw@summerland.ca."},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"250-494-6451 ext. 4"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Animal Control complaint page","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-complaint"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Summerland dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Summerland dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/how-many-pets/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/keremeos","name":"Keremeos","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oliver","name":"Oliver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/dangerous-dogs/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs/"},"facts":{"how_declared":{"label":"How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive","value":"A Dog Control Officer decides. Dangerous dog: has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal. Aggressive dog: has attacked, bitten or caused injury, or tried to, to a person or domestic animal. An aggressive dog with only one investigation and none for 36 months may be reviewed and dropped from the status, at the officer's sole discretion.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)","section":"Part 3, ss. 7, 49","quotes":["means any dog that has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic","means any dog that has attacked, bitten, or caused injury or attempted","The Dog Control Officer may determine whether a dog is a dangerous dog or","thirty-six (36) months from the date of the first investigation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Dangerous dog: at home on a leash or in a locked enclosure; away from home on a leash and effectively muzzled, or in a locked enclosure; reflective warning signs at the front and back of the property; microchip. Aggressive dog: leash or locked enclosure at home; away from home leashed and muzzled, or in a locked enclosure. Neither may enter parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds or cemeteries.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)","section":"ss. 47, 48, 51-54, 58","quotes":["The owner of every aggressive dog shall, when the dog is outside at its owner's premises","keep the dog controlled on a leash effectively muzzled or within a locked enclosure.","keep the dog controlled on a leash and effectively","An owner of a dangerous dog shall post a sign visible to the public at the front and back of","An owner of a dangerous dog shall obtain a microchip","No owner shall take or allow an aggressive dog , dangerous dog or Guard Dog into any"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":null,"status":"none","note":"Summerland's fee schedule lists no separate annual licence fee for these dogs; the ordinary licence fee applies.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) (PDF)"}]},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Call Animal Control at 250-492-3801 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed holidays), use the online Animal Complaint Form, or email dogs@penticton.ca or bylaw@summerland.ca. Give your name and phone number; anonymous complaints are not accepted. Call 911 in an emergency.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-complaint","title":"Animal Control complaint, District of Summerland","section":"To report an Animal Control violation","quotes":["Call Animal Control at 250-492-3801","Or complete the Online Animal Control Complaint Form below."]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-services","title":"Animal Control Services, District of Summerland","section":"How to Contact Us","quotes":["Animal Control hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday (closed holidays).","Anonymous complaints are not accepted."]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/parks-recreation/dogs-in-parks","title":"Dogs in Parks, District of Summerland","section":"Dogs in Parks Etiquette","quotes":["call 911 in case of emergency"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: aggressive dog on own premises $250, away from premises $300; dangerous dog on or away from own premises $500; no dangerous-dog signs $200; no microchip $250 (early and late amounts apply). Municipal ticket: aggressive $500 each, dangerous $1,000 each, signs $500, microchip $500.","short":"Notice $500 dangerous; $250 aggressive; ticket $1,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw ss. 47-54","quotes":["Failure to control aggressive dog on owner’s 47 $250.00 $225.00 $275.00","Failure to control aggressive dog away from 48 $300.00 $275.00 $325.00","Failure to control dangerous dog on owner’s 51 $500.00 $450.00 $500.00","Failure to post “Dangerous Dog” signage 53 $200.00 $175.00 $225.00","Failure to microchip a dangerous dog 54 $250.00 $225.00 $275.00"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)","section":"Schedule 10","quotes":["Failure to control aggressive dog on owner’s premises 47. $500.00","Failure to control dangerous dog on owner’s premises 51. $1000.00","Failure to post “Dangerous Dog” signage 53. $500.00","Failure to microchip a dangerous dog 54. $500.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control","title":"Dog Licencing, District of Summerland","section":"Owner Responsibility","quotes":["Please consult the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 for more information."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":1,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf), a Dog Control Officer decides how a dog is classed. A dangerous dog has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal. An aggressive dog has attacked, bitten or caused injury, or tried to, to a person or domestic animal. An aggressive dog with only one investigation and none for 36 months may be reviewed and dropped from the status, at the officer's sole discretion.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Dangerous dog: at home, on a leash or in a locked enclosure. Away from home, on a leash and effectively muzzled, or in a locked enclosure. Reflective warning signs at the front and back of the property, and a microchip.\n- Aggressive dog: leash or locked enclosure at home. Away from home, leashed and muzzled, or in a locked enclosure.\n- Neither may enter parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds or cemeteries.\n- Fees: Schedule N of the fees bylaw lists no separate annual licence fee for these dogs, so the ordinary licence fee applies. Impound fees are $300 first, $400 second, $500 third, $600 fourth and later.\n- Bylaw notices: aggressive dog $250 on its own premises and $300 away from them; dangerous dog $500; no dangerous-dog signs $200; no microchip $250. Early-payment and late amounts apply. Municipal tickets: aggressive $500, dangerous $1,000, signs $500, microchip $500.\n- Reporting: call Animal Control at 250-492-3801, use the online Animal Complaint Form, or email dogs@penticton.ca (listed on summerland.ca) or bylaw@summerland.ca. Give your name and phone number; anonymous complaints are not accepted. Call 911 in an emergency.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-complaint","title":"Animal Control complaint, District of Summerland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-services","title":"Animal Control Services, District of Summerland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/parks-recreation/dogs-in-parks","title":"Dogs in Parks, District of Summerland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control","title":"Dog Licencing, District of Summerland","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs.json"}}