Summerland rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
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.
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.Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, Part 3, ss. 7, 49 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmeans 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 |
|---|---|
| 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.Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, ss. 47, 48, 51-54, 58 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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 |
| Licence fee | None set. Summerland's fee schedule lists no separate annual licence fee for these dogs; the ordinary licence fee applies.Read: Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) |
| 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.Animal Control complaint, To report an Animal Control violation; Animal Control Services, How to Contact Us; Dogs in Parks, Dogs in Parks Etiquette · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCall Animal Control at 250-492-3801 Or complete the Online Animal Control Complaint Form below. Animal Control hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday (closed holidays). Anonymous complaints are not accepted. call 911 in case of emergency |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule A, Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw ss. 47-54; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule 10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFailure 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 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 |
| Bylaw | Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024Dog Licencing, Owner Responsibility · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease consult the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 for more information. |
How it works
Under the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, 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
The same question in other places
Penticton · Peachland · West Kelowna · Kelowna · Keremeos · Oliver
Sources
- Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control complaint, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Services, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Dogs in Parks, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Dog Licencing, District of Summerland (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. How answers are checked.