Animal Complaints

Barking is a way dogs communicate, including for reasons like anxiety, distress, boredom, lack of or excess stimuli. It is normal for a dog to bark during the day, only when a dog's barking is excessive, should it be reported. Barking continuously for more than 10 minutes is considered as excessive in some municipalities where a "habitually noisy dog" is a dog that barks for more than 10 minutes, 10 times in a 30-day period.

What to do when the barking is becoming a consistent problem:

1. Contact the dog owner
   Let the dog owner know you're concerned about the barking and give them a chance to make it right.

2. Report your concern
   Report the barking dog. Provide the following details:

   • Your name, address, and phone number
   • The specific address and unit number of the barking dog, to help us investigate efficiently
   • The description of the barking dog, if possible
   • The date, time and duration of when the barking became a nuisance.

   
   *We ask for your name, address, and phone number because we contact you to discuss your concern and explain next steps. Your information is protected by FOIPP. We do not take anonymous reports, they will not be investigated.

3. We investigate your concern
   After we receive your report, we assign an officer to:
   • Contact you to discuss your concern and explain next steps
   • Visit the owner of the barking dog to communicate the complaint (while keeping your information private) and suggest ways to prevent nuisance barking i.e. Bark Limiter

Barking Log

Barking logs are used to record the date, time and duration of the barking to serve as evidence for further enforcement. These documents are only useful if the persons who keep the log are willing to testify in court as a witness if the ticket is disputed. Please do not begin a bark log until an Officer requests you to do so, any evidence collected while the officer is investigating will not be accepted as we may be working with the dog owner to assist with the issue and it can take some time to change the dog's behaviour.

You can help the Animal Control protect the public by reporting cases of people harassing dogs and dogs harassing people. If minor incidents are reported, major incidents can be prevented.

If you or your pet is involved in a dog bite or attack:

1. Exchange contact information with the other pet owner
2. Seek medical help
3. Report the incident to us as soon as possible to ensure everyone's safety

How to report a dog bite or attack

Contact our office at 250.478.0624 or complete an online complaint form.

Provide as much detail as possible, including:

• What happened?
• When and where did it happen? Do you have an exact address?
• What does the dog look like?
• What is the contact information of the dog owner and any witnesses?
• Do you have photos of injuries, before and after treatment?

Need to follow up?

If you have information to add to your report, email us at animalservices@crd.bc  and provide your contact information so we can reach you if needed.

How we Respond

We'll respond after receiving your report and, where necessary, start an investigation.  We may request you fill out a statement form and any photos you have of the bite.

Every situation is unique and takes different amounts of time to resolve. Some investigations may result in issuing an aggressive dog or dangerous dog designations.

What is a Dangerous Dog?

There are 18 Animal Control Bylaws in the Capital Regional District as each municipality, regional district and first nations have their own individual bylaws which include definitions of an aggressive, dangerous or vicious dog.  

The Community Charter provides the authority to address Dangerous Dogs in an animal control bylaw.

Animal Control Bylaw

Owner's Responsibility

Dangerous dogs are generally the result of irresponsible pet ownership. Dogs can become a threat if they are not properly socialized and trained, if they are mistreated or if they are deliberately bred or encouraged to attack people or animals.   If your dog displays any aggressive behaviour, be a responsible pet owner and contact a trainer or dog behaviourist to help you and your dog avoid any altercations with people or animals. 

Aggressive Dogs

• Must be contained on the property either in the dwelling, behind fencing or tethered (where permitted).
• Must be on leash at all times when off its property.
• Cannot enter an off-leash area
• Owner must purchase an aggressive dog licence for $75 (in some municipalities)
• May apply to have the designation lifted after a period of time IF they have completed training and obtains certification that the dog is no longer aggressive.

Dangerous Dogs

• Must be contained on the property, secured so that no one under the age of 12 can enter.
• Must be muzzled and leashed at all times when off its property.
• A warning sign must be posted on the owner's premises and all entrances.
• The dog is prohibited from entering a CRD Regional Park or any off-leash dog areas.
• The owner must obtain a dangerous dog licence for $100. (in some municipalities)
• The dog must be microchipped, and a photograph will be kept on file.