West Kelowna rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

West Kelowna, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive	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.RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), ss. 6, 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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
Rules for owners	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.RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), ss. 37-41 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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
Licence fee	Aggressive dog: $100 a year if spayed/neutered, $150 if not. Dangerous dog: $500. (Nuisance dog: $40 or $80.) No early-payment discount applies.RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), Schedule B (d); Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Fee categories · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording (d) Licensing for Nuisance, Aggressive, and Dangerous Dogs Aggressive Dog $100 $150 Dangerous Dog $500 $500 Aggressive dogs (spayed/neutered) $100 Aggressive dogs (not spayed/neutered) $150 Dangerous dogs $500
How to report	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.Dog complaints, Regional District of Central Okanagan; Bylaw Compliance, Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Call 250-469-6284 for Regional District of Central Okanagan Dog Control.
Fine	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.RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated), Bylaw 1537, Schedule B, Appendix 1; Bylaw enforcement, Regional District of Central Okanagan, RDCO bylaw enforcement page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 All RDCO bylaws are included in the Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Program except those involving Aggressive and Dangerous Dog incidents
Bylaw	Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014

How it works

In West Kelowna an RDCO Animal Control Officer decides, case by case, under the Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343. City staff do not make these decisions.

Nuisance dog: at large or impounded 3 times, or 3 tickets, in 12 months.
Aggressive dog: has attacked, bitten, caused injury, or tried to, a person or domestic animal.
Dangerous dog: has seriously injured or killed a person or domestic animal (Community Charter s. 49).

Steps

If there is an attack, get safe and call 9-1-1 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
Report it to RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284, or submit a service request online.
After hours, for a seriously injured stray or a dog attacking people or dogs, call 604-815-6006.

Good to know

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. It also needs warning signs at the front and back of the property and a microchip within 15 days of the declaration.
Neither may enter parks, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds or beaches.
The RDCO may seize a dangerous dog for up to 21 days.
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.