Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Assent Vote
Overview
An assent vote has been scheduled to seek elector approval for the establishment of a Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service in Electoral Area H.
The intention of the service would be to help educate the public on the Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 (click on the documents tab above for the third reading of the bylaw) requirements and if issues continue, address the situation when dealing with an aggressive and dangerous dog incident within Electoral Area H. 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. The expectation is a detailed complaint will be filed with RDCK Bylaw Enforcement and then responded to in a timely manner.
An aggressive dog means:
- 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 can you vote?
General polling day is Saturday, May 30. There will be two advanced voting days as well, Wednesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 27. Check the sidebar for exact locations. There will be a mail-in-ballot opportunity. Mail-in-ballots may be requested from May 1 to May 28 and must be returned not later than May 30.
Ballot question:
Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3066, 2025 will allow the Regional District to establish a service for the regulation of Dangerous and Aggressive Dogs in Electoral Area H and to establish a maximum annual allowable requisition not to exceed the greater of $ 109,741 or the amount resulting from a rate of $0.077/$1,000 applied to the actual net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area.
Are you in favour of the Regional District adopting Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3066, 2025?
Yes or No
For more information on the election process and determining if you are eligible to vote go to www.rdck.ca/AreaHDogs.
Background
Aggressive dogs at large in the Slocan Valley was identified as an issue for the community. As a result, at the direction of the Board of Directors, the RDCK conducted a survey of Electoral Area H residents in early 2020 regarding public interest in adopting a dog control bylaw in their area. 692 mailed responses and 210 online responses were received for a combined response rate of 40% of the population. Of those who responded, 53% supported a dog control bylaw in Electoral Area H. As a result of the survey the Board directed staff to prepare a service case analysis on the implications of establishing a dog control bylaw for the entirety of Electoral Area H.
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 Area H.
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 Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3066, 2025, (Bylaw 3066) was brought to the Board for first and second readings. Bylaw 3066 establishes a service within Electoral Area H to regulate dangerous and aggressive dogs.
January 2026 – Both Bylaw 3009 and Bylaw 3066 were given third reading by the Board. An assent vote was scheduled for May 30, 2026 for Electoral Area H.
Bylaw 3009 would provide the regulation to enforce Bylaw 3066 if adopted by the Board.
If 50% or more of the participating electors vote in favour of establishing the Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service, then the bylaw will be adopted at the June 18, 2026 RDCK Board Meeting. Taxation would start January 2027, with the service beginning in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an aggressive dog?
An aggressive dog means:
- 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.
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
An assent vote has been scheduled to seek elector approval for the establishment of a Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service in Electoral Area H.
The intention of the service would be to help educate the public on the Regional District of Central Kootenay Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Regulatory Bylaw No. 3009, 2025 (click on the documents tab above for the third reading of the bylaw) requirements and if issues continue, address the situation when dealing with an aggressive and dangerous dog incident within Electoral Area H. 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. The expectation is a detailed complaint will be filed with RDCK Bylaw Enforcement and then responded to in a timely manner.
An aggressive dog means:
- 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 can you vote?
General polling day is Saturday, May 30. There will be two advanced voting days as well, Wednesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 27. Check the sidebar for exact locations. There will be a mail-in-ballot opportunity. Mail-in-ballots may be requested from May 1 to May 28 and must be returned not later than May 30.
Ballot question:
Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3066, 2025 will allow the Regional District to establish a service for the regulation of Dangerous and Aggressive Dogs in Electoral Area H and to establish a maximum annual allowable requisition not to exceed the greater of $ 109,741 or the amount resulting from a rate of $0.077/$1,000 applied to the actual net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area.
Are you in favour of the Regional District adopting Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3066, 2025?
Yes or No
For more information on the election process and determining if you are eligible to vote go to www.rdck.ca/AreaHDogs.
Background
Aggressive dogs at large in the Slocan Valley was identified as an issue for the community. As a result, at the direction of the Board of Directors, the RDCK conducted a survey of Electoral Area H residents in early 2020 regarding public interest in adopting a dog control bylaw in their area. 692 mailed responses and 210 online responses were received for a combined response rate of 40% of the population. Of those who responded, 53% supported a dog control bylaw in Electoral Area H. As a result of the survey the Board directed staff to prepare a service case analysis on the implications of establishing a dog control bylaw for the entirety of Electoral Area H.
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 Area H.
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 Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 3066, 2025, (Bylaw 3066) was brought to the Board for first and second readings. Bylaw 3066 establishes a service within Electoral Area H to regulate dangerous and aggressive dogs.
January 2026 – Both Bylaw 3009 and Bylaw 3066 were given third reading by the Board. An assent vote was scheduled for May 30, 2026 for Electoral Area H.
Bylaw 3009 would provide the regulation to enforce Bylaw 3066 if adopted by the Board.
If 50% or more of the participating electors vote in favour of establishing the Electoral Area H Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Control Service, then the bylaw will be adopted at the June 18, 2026 RDCK Board Meeting. Taxation would start January 2027, with the service beginning in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an aggressive dog?
An aggressive dog means:
- 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.
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
Ask a Question
You must be logged in to ask a question.
Ask a Question
You must be logged in to ask a question.
Who's listening
Key Dates
- Winlaw Hall, Winlaw
- Knox Hall, New Denver
- Hills Hall, Hills
- Winlaw Hall – Winlaw
- Knox Hall – New Denver
- Crescent Valley Hall – Crescent Valley
