Electoral Areas A, B, and C Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Alternative Approval Process
Overview
The RDCK is seeking voter approval by means of an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for the establishment of a Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service in Electoral Areas A, B, and C.
The intention of the service is to enable the RDCK to enforce the regulatory bylaw requirements of Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3067, 2025 (click on the documents tab above for the third reading of the bylaw) and if issues continue, address the situation when dealing with an aggressive and dangerous dog incident within Electoral Areas A, B, & C. This will be a complaint driven service. There will be no ongoing patrols. The intention is not to manage lost or wandering dogs, but to deal with dogs that are acting aggressively towards or attacking people, other dogs and livestock in the area. A detailed complaint will then be filed with RDCK Bylaw Enforcement and responded to in a timely manner.
Rate Implications
The proposed maximum annual allowable requisition for the service is $90,000 or 0.033 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value of land and improvements, whichever is greater.
What is an AAP?
The Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is a method of obtaining elector approval on local government bylaws or agreements that require the assent of the electors. It is like a reverse-referendum, where a person submits a response to the RDCK only if they are opposed to the purpose of the bylaw.
If less than 10% of the eligible electors make submissions to the Board, then the bylaw may be adopted (at the Board’s discretion) at the July 16, 2026, RDCK Board Meeting. Taxation would start January 2027, with the service beginning in 2027.
If more than 10% of the eligible electors makes submissions the Board will be required to rescind third reading of the bylaw and take no further action on the matter or proceed with an assent vote on the matter within 80 days of the AAP deadline.
Elector Response Form
Elector Response Form will be added to this page by May 7, 2026.
Elector Response Forms may be:
Mailed to: Tom Dool, Chief Elections Officer, Box 590, 202 Lakeside Drive, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4
Emailed to: elections@rdck.bc.ca
Returned to: 202 Lakeside Drive, Nelson BC
What is an aggressive dog?
According to the bylaw definition:
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has displayed aggressive behaviour toward another person, dog or animal;
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has a known tendency or disposition to attack and/or cause injury to other animals or humans without provocation; and
- Any Dog that has been deemed an Aggressive Dog by a Dog Control Officer.
- Any Dog declared a Dangerous Dog by a Court in of the Province of B.C.
The Province defines Dangerous Dogs in section 49 of the Community Charter.
Under the Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 Dog Control Officers may seize and impound any Aggressive or Dangerous Dog, which could result in fines to the owner of the dog and potentially warrant a determination on euthanasia of the dog.
Background
April 2024 – RDCK Bylaw and Enforcement provided a report that examined the delivery of dog control services within the RDCK. The report laid out an opportunity to provide dog control service in Electoral Areas A, B, & C.
July 2025 – The Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 (Bylaw 3009) was brought to the Board for first and second readings. Bylaw 3009 provides a regulatory framework for contracted Regional District Dog Control Officers and the RCMP to only address aggressive dog incidents.
November 2025 – The Electoral Areas A, B, and C Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3067, 2025, (Bylaw 3066) was brought to the Board for first and second readings. Bylaw 3067 establishes a service within Electoral Areas A, B, and C to regulate dangerous and aggressive dogs.
January 2026 – Bylaw 3009 was given third reading by the Board.
February 2026 – Bylaw 3067 was given third reading by the Board.
March 2026 – The Board directed staff to proceed with seeking approval of the electors within Electoral Areas A, B, and C for the establishment of a Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service through the Alternative Approval Process. The deadline for receipt of elector responses is 4:00 pm on June 15, 2026.
Bylaw 3009 would provide the regulation to enforce Bylaw 3067 if adopted by the Board.
If less than 10% of the eligible electors make submissions to the Board, then the bylaw will be adopted at the July 16, 2026, RDCK Board Meeting. Taxation would start January 2027, with the service beginning in 2027.
If more than 10% of the eligible electors makes submissions the Board will be required to rescind third reading of the bylaw and take no further action on the matter or proceed with an assent vote on the matter within 80 days of the AAP deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Aggressive Dog?
According to the bylaw definition:
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has displayed aggressive behaviour toward another person, dog or animal;
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has a known tendency or disposition to attack and/or cause injury to other animals or humans without provocation; and
- Any Dog that has been deemed an Aggressive Dog by a Dog Control Officer.
- Any Dog declared a Dangerous Dog by a Court in of the Province of B.C.
The Province defines Dangerous Dogs in section 49 of the Community Charter.
Under the Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 Dog Control Officers may seize and impound any Aggressive or Dangerous Dog, which could result in fines to the owner of the dog and potentially warrant a determination on euthanasia of the dog.
How much could owners pay in fines?
First Impoundment Fee – $250 per aggressive dog
In addition, there is a maintenance and sustenance cost of $75 per day.
Second and subsequent Impound Fee – $450 per aggressive dog
In addition, there is a maintenance and sustenance cost of $75 per day.
Additional Fees
Aggressive and Dangerous Dog Registration – $250 per dog as per bylaw 3009.
Veterinarian Fee – Actual Cost
Euthanasia – Actual Cost
Documents
The RDCK is seeking voter approval by means of an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for the establishment of a Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service in Electoral Areas A, B, and C.
The intention of the service is to enable the RDCK to enforce the regulatory bylaw requirements of Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3067, 2025 (click on the documents tab above for the third reading of the bylaw) and if issues continue, address the situation when dealing with an aggressive and dangerous dog incident within Electoral Areas A, B, & C. This will be a complaint driven service. There will be no ongoing patrols. The intention is not to manage lost or wandering dogs, but to deal with dogs that are acting aggressively towards or attacking people, other dogs and livestock in the area. A detailed complaint will then be filed with RDCK Bylaw Enforcement and responded to in a timely manner.
Rate Implications
The proposed maximum annual allowable requisition for the service is $90,000 or 0.033 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value of land and improvements, whichever is greater.
What is an AAP?
The Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is a method of obtaining elector approval on local government bylaws or agreements that require the assent of the electors. It is like a reverse-referendum, where a person submits a response to the RDCK only if they are opposed to the purpose of the bylaw.
If less than 10% of the eligible electors make submissions to the Board, then the bylaw may be adopted (at the Board’s discretion) at the July 16, 2026, RDCK Board Meeting. Taxation would start January 2027, with the service beginning in 2027.
If more than 10% of the eligible electors makes submissions the Board will be required to rescind third reading of the bylaw and take no further action on the matter or proceed with an assent vote on the matter within 80 days of the AAP deadline.
Elector Response Form
Elector Response Form will be added to this page by May 7, 2026.
Elector Response Forms may be:
Mailed to: Tom Dool, Chief Elections Officer, Box 590, 202 Lakeside Drive, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4
Emailed to: elections@rdck.bc.ca
Returned to: 202 Lakeside Drive, Nelson BC
What is an aggressive dog?
According to the bylaw definition:
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has displayed aggressive behaviour toward another person, dog or animal;
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has a known tendency or disposition to attack and/or cause injury to other animals or humans without provocation; and
- Any Dog that has been deemed an Aggressive Dog by a Dog Control Officer.
- Any Dog declared a Dangerous Dog by a Court in of the Province of B.C.
The Province defines Dangerous Dogs in section 49 of the Community Charter.
Under the Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 Dog Control Officers may seize and impound any Aggressive or Dangerous Dog, which could result in fines to the owner of the dog and potentially warrant a determination on euthanasia of the dog.
Background
April 2024 – RDCK Bylaw and Enforcement provided a report that examined the delivery of dog control services within the RDCK. The report laid out an opportunity to provide dog control service in Electoral Areas A, B, & C.
July 2025 – The Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 (Bylaw 3009) was brought to the Board for first and second readings. Bylaw 3009 provides a regulatory framework for contracted Regional District Dog Control Officers and the RCMP to only address aggressive dog incidents.
November 2025 – The Electoral Areas A, B, and C Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3067, 2025, (Bylaw 3066) was brought to the Board for first and second readings. Bylaw 3067 establishes a service within Electoral Areas A, B, and C to regulate dangerous and aggressive dogs.
January 2026 – Bylaw 3009 was given third reading by the Board.
February 2026 – Bylaw 3067 was given third reading by the Board.
March 2026 – The Board directed staff to proceed with seeking approval of the electors within Electoral Areas A, B, and C for the establishment of a Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service through the Alternative Approval Process. The deadline for receipt of elector responses is 4:00 pm on June 15, 2026.
Bylaw 3009 would provide the regulation to enforce Bylaw 3067 if adopted by the Board.
If less than 10% of the eligible electors make submissions to the Board, then the bylaw will be adopted at the July 16, 2026, RDCK Board Meeting. Taxation would start January 2027, with the service beginning in 2027.
If more than 10% of the eligible electors makes submissions the Board will be required to rescind third reading of the bylaw and take no further action on the matter or proceed with an assent vote on the matter within 80 days of the AAP deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Aggressive Dog?
According to the bylaw definition:
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has displayed aggressive behaviour toward another person, dog or animal;
- Any Dog which, without provocation, has a known tendency or disposition to attack and/or cause injury to other animals or humans without provocation; and
- Any Dog that has been deemed an Aggressive Dog by a Dog Control Officer.
- Any Dog declared a Dangerous Dog by a Court in of the Province of B.C.
The Province defines Dangerous Dogs in section 49 of the Community Charter.
Under the Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 Dog Control Officers may seize and impound any Aggressive or Dangerous Dog, which could result in fines to the owner of the dog and potentially warrant a determination on euthanasia of the dog.
How much could owners pay in fines?
First Impoundment Fee – $250 per aggressive dog
In addition, there is a maintenance and sustenance cost of $75 per day.
Second and subsequent Impound Fee – $450 per aggressive dog
In addition, there is a maintenance and sustenance cost of $75 per day.
Additional Fees
Aggressive and Dangerous Dog Registration – $250 per dog as per bylaw 3009.
Veterinarian Fee – Actual Cost
Euthanasia – Actual Cost
Questions
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