{"title":"West Kelowna rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Regional District of Central Okanagan","url":"https://www.rdco.com"},"short_answer":"In West Kelowna, the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) decides whether a dog is nuisance, aggressive or dangerous under Bylaw No. 1343. Aggressive dogs must be on a held leash or in a fenced yard; dangerous dogs must be muzzled and leashed or locked up. Report attacks to RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284.","aliases":["dangerous dog west kelowna","aggressive dog bylaw west kelowna","dog bite west kelowna","vicious dog rdco"],"cost":"Licence: aggressive dog $100 a year if spayed or neutered, $150 if not; dangerous dog $500; nuisance dog $40 or $80. No early-payment discount applies. Municipal tickets: aggressive dog $300; dangerous dog $1,000.","how_long":"An aggressive dog declaration ends after 36 months with no further convictions under s. 35; a nuisance dog declaration after 12 months.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"RDCO Dog Control","value":"250-469-6284"},{"type":"phone","label":"RDCO after-hours line (24/7, for a seriously injured stray or a dog attacking people or dogs)","value":"604-815-6006"},{"type":"phone","label":"Emergency","value":"9-1-1"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"West Kelowna dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"West Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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":"An Animal Control Officer decides. Aggressive: a dog that has attacked, bitten, caused injury, or tried to, a person or domestic animal. Dangerous: a dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal (Community Charter s. 49). Nuisance: at large or impounded 3 times, or 3 tickets, in 12 months.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"ss. 6, 9","quotes":["The Animal Control Officer may determine whether a dog is “dangerous” or","Aggressive dog means any dog that has attacked, bitten, or caused injury or attempted","Dangerous Dog means any dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or","Nuisance Dog means any dog that has been At Large or impounded three times in the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Aggressive dog outside the home: on a securely held leash, or in a fenced yard. Dangerous dog outside the home: on a leash with a muzzle tightly fastened, or in a locked enclosure. Dangerous dogs also need warning signs at the front and back of the property and a microchip within 15 days of declaration. Neither may enter parks, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds or beaches.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"ss. 37-41","quotes":["No Owner shall allow a Dangerous Dog or an Aggressive Dog into any sports field,","keep the Aggressive Dog controlled on a leash securely held; or","keep the Dangerous Dog controlled on a leash securely held and a muzzle tightly","An Owner of a Dangerous Dog shall post a sign visible to the public at the front and","be implanted within 15 days of Declaration"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"Aggressive dog: $100 a year if spayed/neutered, $150 if not. Dangerous dog: $500. (Nuisance dog: $40 or $80.) No early-payment discount applies.","short":"Dangerous $500; aggressive $100 ($150 if unaltered)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"Schedule B (d)","quotes":["(d) Licensing for Nuisance, Aggressive, and Dangerous Dogs","Aggressive Dog $100 $150","Dangerous Dog $500 $500"]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/","title":"Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Fee categories","quotes":["Aggressive dogs (spayed/neutered) $100","Aggressive dogs (not spayed/neutered) $150","Dangerous dogs $500"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Call RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or submit a service request online. After hours (24/7), for a seriously injured stray or a dog attacking people or dogs, call 604-815-6006. West Kelowna's Bylaw Compliance page sends dog matters to the RDCO.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/","title":"Dog complaints, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Dog complaints","quotes":["For general complaints, including dog attacks, dogs at large or off-leash dogs, please call Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or submit a service request.","Emergency (after-hours): 604-815-6006","A dog that is attacking other dogs or people"]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/bylaw-compliance/","title":"Bylaw Compliance, City of West Kelowna","section":"Dogs","quotes":["Call 250-469-6284 for Regional District of Central Okanagan Dog Control."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal tickets: aggressive dog $300; dangerous dog $1,000; dangerous dog in a prohibited area $1,000 (aggressive $300); failing to control or enclose a dangerous dog $1,000 (aggressive $300); no sign or microchip on a dangerous dog $300.","short":"Ticket $1,000 dangerous; $300 aggressive","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"Bylaw 1537, Schedule B, Appendix 1","quotes":["Aggressive Dog 35 300.00","Dangerous Dog 36 1,000.00","Fail to control/enclose dangerous dog 39, 39.1, 39.2 1,000.00","Fail to post signage, or microchip – dangerous dog 40 & 41 300.00"]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/your-government/bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/","title":"Bylaw enforcement, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"RDCO bylaw enforcement page","quotes":["All RDCO bylaws are included in the Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Program except those involving Aggressive and Dangerous Dog incidents"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 2","quotes":["Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nIn West Kelowna an RDCO Animal Control Officer decides, case by case, under the [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf). City staff do not make these decisions.\n\n- **Nuisance dog:** at large or impounded 3 times, or 3 tickets, in 12 months.\n- **Aggressive dog:** has attacked, bitten, caused injury, or tried to, a person or domestic animal.\n- **Dangerous dog:** has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal (Community Charter s. 49).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. If there is an attack, get safe and call 9-1-1 if anyone is hurt or in danger.\n2. Report it to RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284, or submit a service request online.\n3. After hours, for a seriously injured stray or a dog attacking people or dogs, call 604-815-6006.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Aggressive dog outside the home: on a securely held leash, or in a fenced yard.\n- Dangerous dog outside the home: on a leash with a muzzle tightly fastened, or in a locked enclosure. It also needs warning signs at the front and back of the property and a microchip within 15 days of the declaration.\n- Neither may enter parks, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds or beaches.\n- The RDCO may seize a dangerous dog for up to 21 days.\n- Municipal tickets: aggressive dog $300; dangerous dog $1,000; no sign or microchip on a dangerous dog $300. The bylaw also sets a court penalty of $50 to $2,000.","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/","title":"Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-complaints/","title":"Dog complaints, Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/your-government/bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/","title":"Bylaw enforcement, Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/bylaw-compliance/","title":"Bylaw Compliance, City of West Kelowna","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 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs.json"}}