Dog Control Bylaw

Bowen Island, British Columbia

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 813e0f8adbdd · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 1 of 8 Bowen Island Municipality "Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001" CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE - JULY 2022 Amendment Bylaw Date of Adoption Bylaw No. 91, 2003 July 28, 2003 Bylaw No. 167, 2005 November 14, 2005 Bylaw No. 391, 2015 September 29, 2015 The amendment bylaws have been combined with the original bylaw for convenience only. This consolidation is not a legal document. Certified copies of the original bylaws should be consulted for all interpretations and applications of the bylaw on this subject. Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 2 of 8 BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 A Bylaw regulating the keeping and controlling of dogs. WHEREAS Council is empowered to enact a bylaw under the Local Government Act to regulate the keeping of dogs in the Municipality; The Council of the Bowen Island Municipality enacts as follows: Part 1 - INTERPRETATION "Animal" means all species of fauna excluding humans, fish and aquatic invertebrates. "Animal Control Officer" means (a) a municipal employee, officer or agent designated by the Council as an animal control officer for the purposes of this bylaw, or (b) a peace officer. "At large" means a dog that is not on the property of the owner and not on a leash and/or under the control of a responsible person. "Companion Animal" means an animal kept as a pet or as a guide animal. "Dangerous dog" means a dog that: (a) has killed or seriously injured a person, (b) an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person, or (c) while in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog, has killed or seriously injured a companion animal or a domestic animal. "Dog" means a male or female of the canine species. "Domestic animal" means a domestic animal as defined in the Livestock Protection Act. "Municipality" means Bowen Island Municipality. "Muzzle" means a humane fastening or covering device of adequate strength over the mouth of a dog to prevent it from biting. "Owner" means the person over the age of 18 years that owns, possesses or has control, care or custody over a dog. Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 3 of 8 "Peace officer" means a peace officer, police constable, constable or other person employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace. "Poundkeeper" means the person or persons appointed from time to time by the Municipality, to operate a dog impoundment facility, or the authorized agent of any corporation or society with whom the Municipality has an agreement to act as poundkeeper. "Public beach" means those public lands located between the low water mark and fifteen (15) metres upland of the high water mark of any body of salt water and which are commonly known and described as set forth in Schedule "B" hereto. "Seize" includes impound and detain. "Under control" means a dog that is a. on leash; or b. off leash and both: i. not more than 3 metres away from its owner; and ii. under the command of its owner so as to prevent any contravention of this bylaw. Part 2 - DOG WELFARE 2.1 Every person who keeps a dog within the Municipality shall provide the dog or cause it to be provided with necessary care. Part 3 - KEEPING OF DOGS 3.1 Owners' Responsibilities a) If a dog defecates on any public traffic area of property other than the property of its owner, the owner shall cause the faeces to be removed immediately. b) No owner shall permit his or her dog to, without provocation: i) chase, bite or attack any person, ii) chase, bite or attack any companion, domestic or wild animal, iii) damage public or private property. c) The running at large of dogs is prohibited within the Municipality. d) Dogs are not allowed on public beaches listed in Appendix "B" attached to this bylaw during the months of July and August. Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 4 of 8 e) Dogs are to be kept under control when on public property. f) Dogs are to be on leash in the area designated in Schedule A. 3.2 Identification a) When the dog is off the property of the owner the owner shall cause the dog to wear around the neck a collar to which shall be attached an identification tag which includes the dog owner's last name and phone number. 3.3 Impoundment a) The animal control officer may seize and impound every dog found at large, or not under control of its owner. b) The animal control officer, poundkeeper or peace officer shall make all reasonable efforts to identify and contact the owner of every dog received, whether the dog is living or dead. c) Every dog impounded shall be provided with clean food and water and sheltered in sanitary conditions. The dog shall remain impounded for five (5) days unless its rightful owner claims the dog. d) Where in the opinion of the animal control officer or poundkeeper, in consultation with a veterinarian, a dog seized and impounded is injured or ill and should be destroyed without delay for humane reasons or for reasons of safety to persons, the dog may be euthanized humanely if reasonable efforts to locate the owner of the dog have failed. e) Where a seized and impounded dog is injured or ill and is treated by a veterinarian, the Municipality shall, in addition to any impoundment fees, be entitled to charge the person claiming the dog for the cost of the treatment. f) During the impoundment period, the owner may claim the dog upon proof of ownership of the dog, and payment to the Municipality of: i) the appropriate impoundment fee as outlined in Appendix A, ii) maintenance fees as identified in Appendix A, and iii) veterinary fees where applicable, g) Where the owner of a dog does not claim the dog he shall be liable to pay a pound fee as outlined in Appendix A and maintenance fees for each day the dog is in custody. Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 5 of 8 h) A dog that is impounded and not claimed by the owner within the time provided in subsection c) may be disposed of at the discretion of the Municipality. The animal control officer will make every effort to find the dog a new home, where appropriate. Part 4 - DANGEROUS DOGS 4.1 a) Dangerous dogs shall be dealt with by the animal control officer pursuant to Section 49 of the Community Charter. b) At all times when off the owner's property, a dangerous dog shall be muzzled; c) At all times when off the owner's property, a dangerous dog shall be on a leash not longer than two metres and under the control of a responsible person over the age of eighteen. d) A dangerous dog is to be housed in an enclosure that prevents its escape and prevents unauthorized entry by any person. Part 5 - PENALTIES 5.1 Any person who contravenes any provision of this bylaw is guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties prescribed in this section. 5.2 Each day of violation of any provision of this bylaw shall constitute a separate offence. 5.3 The levying and payment of any fines or penalties shall not relieve a person from the necessity of paying any fees, charges or costs from which he or she is liable under the provision of this bylaw or other laws. 5.4 The suggested penalties for violating sections of this bylaw are as follows: Part Penalties 1st Offence 2nd Offence 3rd & Subsequent within one 12- Offence within one month period 12-month period Part 3.1 a), c) d), e) and f) $25.00 $50.00 $150.00 Part 3.1 b) $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Part 3.2 $25.00 $50.00 $150.00 Part 4.1 b) and c) $50.00 $100.00 $200.00 Part 4.1 d) $100.00 $200.00 $500.00 Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 6 of 8 Part 6 - SEVERABILITY 6.1 If a court of competent jurisdiction should declare any section or part of a section of this bylaw to be invalid, such section or part of a section shall be severed and the remainder of the bylaw construed as being in force and effect. Part 7 - CITATION 7.1 This bylaw may be cited as the "Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001". Part 8 - REPEAL 8.1 Bylaw No. 611, 1989 cited as "Greater Vancouver Regional District Electoral Area C Dog Control Bylaw No. 611, 1989" is hereby repealed. Part 9 - READINGS READ a first time this 22nd day of January, 2001. RE-READ a first time this 12th day of February, 2001. READ a second time the 26th day of February, 2001. READ a third time the 26th day of February, 2001. RECONSIDERED AND FINALLY ADOPTED this 12th day of March, 2001. "Original signed" Lisa Barrett Mayor "Original signed" Isabell Hadford Clerk Certified to be a true and correct copy of Bylaw No. 30, 2001, cited as "Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001" adopted by the Council of Bowen Island Municipality this 12th day of March 2001. "Original signed"____________________ Isabell Hadford Clerk Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 7 of 8 BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 Appendix 'A' 1. Impoundment Fees: 1st impoundment 2nd impoundment 3rd & Subsequent impoundments within one 12-month within one 12-month period Dog $25.00 $50.00 $75.00 Dangerous Dog $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 2. Maintenance Fees: 1. First day $7.00 2. Second Day $16.00 3. Third and Subsequent Days $32.00 Bowen Island Municipality Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 (Consolidated) Page 8 of 8 BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY Dog Control Bylaw No. 30, 2001 Appendix 'B' Name of Public Beach Description Sandy Beach The sandy beach area with access from Cardena Drive. Tunstall Bay Beach The beach areas fronting both the public street end and the private property owned by the Tunstall Bay Property Owners Association. Bowen Bay Beach The sandy beach areas fronting both the public street end and the private property extending in both directions from that street end. Carter Rd B o w e n I s l a n d Dorman Rd Mt. Gardner Rd Miller Rd Cardena Dr Grafton Rd T r u n k R d Library Bowen Island Community School Sandy Beach BIM North and South Dock Schedule A - Snug Cove On Leash Dog Area Legend Roads Snug Cove On Leash Dog Area Property Boundaries 0 100 200 300 400 50 Meters 1:6,000 Scale