---
title: Summerland rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?"
place: Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/summerland
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Summerland
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Summerland rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

**Question:** What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Summerland, https://www.summerland.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Animal Control, 250-492-3801 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed holidays. Call 911 in an emergency.)
- Email: Animal Control, dogs@penticton.ca (Listed on summerland.ca. Complaints can also go to bylaw@summerland.ca.)
- Phone: Bylaw Services, 250-494-6451 ext. 4

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** 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.
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, Part 3, ss. 7, 49](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** 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.
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, ss. 47, 48, 51-54, 58](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** None set. Summerland's fee schedule lists no separate annual licence fee for these dogs; the ordinary licence fee applies.
- **How to report:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control complaint, To report an Animal Control violation](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-complaint)
  - Official wording: "Call Animal Control at 250-492-3801" … "Or complete the Online Animal Control Complaint Form below."
  - Source: [Animal Control Services, How to Contact Us](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-services)
  - Official wording: "Animal Control hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday (closed holidays)." … "Anonymous complaints are not accepted."
  - Source: [Dogs in Parks, Dogs in Parks Etiquette](https://www.summerland.ca/parks-recreation/dogs-in-parks)
  - Official wording: "call 911 in case of emergency"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule A, Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw ss. 47-54](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule 10](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024
  - Source: [Dog Licencing, Owner Responsibility](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
  - Official wording: "Please consult the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 for more information."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)
- [Animal Control complaint page](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-complaint)

## Related questions

- [Summerland dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Summerland dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-licence.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)](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) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) (PDF)](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) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control complaint, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-complaint) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Services, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/animal-control/animal-control-services) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dogs in Parks, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/parks-recreation/dogs-in-parks) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licencing, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control) (read 2026-11-05)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Summerland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs/_