West Vancouver rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in West Vancouver?
Short answer
West Vancouver’s animal bylaw includes dogs that have aggressively pursued or harassed a person or domestic animal in its aggressive-dog definition. Contact Bylaw and Licensing Services about an incident.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | West Vancouver’s animal bylaw includes dogs that have aggressively pursued or harassed a person or domestic animal in its aggressive-dog definition.Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008, PDF p. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording“aggressive dog” means: a) a dog that has attacked, bitten or caused injury to a person or has demonstrated a propensity, tendency or disposition to do so; b) a dog that has bitten, killed or caused injury to a domestic animal; c) a dog that has aggressively pursued or harassed a person or domestic animal; |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | A dog designated aggressive under Part 9 must be muzzled off the owner's property.Dogs | District of West Vancouver, Aggressive dogs, Part 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingAny dog that has attacked or tends to attack, harass or bite other domestic animals or humans without provocation, or is any type of pit bull terrier or other dog specifically bred or trained for fighting, is an aggressive dog under Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw #4545. When at home, the dog must be securely confined by a structure which will keep young children from entering and the dog from exiting. Any dog that has been deemed aggressive under Part 9 of the Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 must be muzzled when off the owner's property. |
| Licence fee | Not confirmed. Checked Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008, Dog licences and 2026 fees; not found there. |
| How to report | Not confirmed. Checked Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008; not found there. |
| Fine | The schedule lists $500, $475 early or $500 late, for a dangerous animal at large or a dangerous animal not muzzled.Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004, Bylaw Notice Schedule A, Animal Control and Licence Bylaw section 9.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingA2 A3 Compliance A1 Early Agreement Amendment Section Description Late Bylaw No. Penalty Payment Payment Available (*Maximum 50% Penalty Penalty Reduction in Penalty Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 4559, 2008 9.1.1(a) Dangerous animal at large $500.00 $475.00 $500.00 NO 4559, 2008 9.1.1(d) Improperly leash dangerous dog $500.00 $475.00 $500.00 NO 4559, 2008 9.1.2(a) Dangerous animal not muzzled $500.00 $475.00 $500.00 NO |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008, PDF p. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording1.1 This bylaw may be cited as Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, |
How it works
Describe what the dog did and where it happened. Details such as pursuit, a bite, an injury or the presence of another animal help an officer distinguish the incident you saw from a description of the dog's temperament. A dog designated aggressive under Part 9 must be muzzled off the owner's property.
Steps
- For the local definition and reporting information, consult Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 (PDF). Write down the location, time and sequence of events. Identify what you saw yourself and how an officer can reach any witnesses.
- Use the reporting information below or the animal-control contact in the linked rules. If you receive a designation, read the conditions before taking the dog into a public place.
Good to know
- The schedule lists $500, $475 early or $500 late, for a dangerous animal at large or a dangerous animal not muzzled.
- Keep any written notice. If its terms are unclear, refer to the wording on the notice when asking about handling, confinement or review.
- For a question about how to submit the incident details and obtain a reference number, call the Municipal Hall at 604-925-7000.
- Read the applicable provisions in Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF).
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Vancouver · Richmond
Sources
- Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Dogs | District of West Vancouver (read 2026-11-09)
- Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- West Vancouver municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.