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V I C T O R I A ANIMAL CONTROL S E R V I C E S LTD
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We enforce Animal Control Bylaws and operate the POUND & Adoption Centre for
the City of Victoria and District of Oak Bay.
(250) 414-0233 E- MAIL vacs@shaw.ca
Please do not send complaints by email unless directed to do so. Call first and speak to staff directly. Thank you.
POUND & Adoption Centre - 564 David Street, Victoria, B.C. V8T 2C8
OPEN: Monday to Friday (POUND & ADOPTION) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
OPEN: Saturdays (POUND) 9am to 5pm (ADOPTION) 11am to 5pm
CLOSED to public: Sundays & Statutory Holidays
ANIMAL CONTROL - Complaints / Investigations
OFFICERS are ON-DUTY: 7 DAYS/week 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
including: Victoria Day, Canada Day, B.C. Day & Labour Day
EMERGENCIES - 24/hr
The "On-Call" Duty Officer will respond to any incident where a domesticated animal is causing a threat to public safety.
Officers DO NOT pick up strays or investigate nuisance matters after regular hours.
WILDLIFE
BC CONSERVATION OFFICERS investigate: Human/wildlife conflicts, Cougar & Bear sightings and can provide information on all wildlife matters. 1-800-663-9453 or 1-877-952-7277 (24/hr)
Animal Control Officers DO NOT respond to wildlife matters unless a domestic animal is involved. eg: Dog chasing/attacking/killing: deer, raccoons, geese, ducks, etc.
Injured wildlife can be taken (by the finder) to Central Victoria Vet Hospital at 760 Roderick St. (near Douglas & Cloverdale). CVVH care for the animal/bird until staff from the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre can pick it up. WildARC is located at 1020 Malloch Rd., Metchosin, B.C. 478-9453.
Animals - FOUND STRAY
Animals - For ADOPTION
To view the FOUND STRAYS currently being cared for in the POUND please click here for the link to our PetFinder page. UPDATES ARE MADE DAILY (Monday - Friday)
Animals FOUND STRAY are kept up to 96 HRS (City of Victoria), 120 HRS (Oak Bay) to allow an owner sufficient time to locate & claim their missing pet. All animals are checked for tattoos & microchips. If we can't identify an owner, we advertise the animal in the Times-Colonist Classifieds (section #364).
Unclaimed animals are (with few exceptions) placed onto the ADOPTION list to await a new home.
To view our ADOPTION ANIMALS please click here for the link to our PetFinder page. UPDATES ARE MADE DAILY (Monday - Friday)
new! ADOPTION PET OF THE WEEK
"Gazelle" and her kittens are lounging around . . . waiting . . . for YOU!
Gazelle and her kittens
Gazelle and her kittens were living the 'stray life' in James Bay until a few weeks ago. The kittens were born in a derelict vehicle and are becoming more social each day. Gazelle has just been spayed and the kittens are weaned. Come and see this family of cats and many others at the Pound & Adoption Center - 564 David St., Victoria, B.C.
We are open: Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or call: 250 414-0233.
ADOPTION FEES - Cats & Kittens
MALE - Neutered while in Pound, or as condition of adoption $ 73.44 **
MALE - Neutered by previous owner
$ 50.00
FEMALE - Spayed while in Pound, or as condition of adoption
$ 110.43 **
FEMALE - Spayed by previous owner
$ 50.00
Vaccination - fvrcp (for indoor cats)
$ 41.58
Vaccination - fvrcp + felv (for cats that go outdoors)
$ 68.93
Microchip identification (only if implanted during surgery)
$ 20.00
1 Additional fees if cat is - in heat, pregnant or obese.
2. ** Spay / Neuter surgery is included in the price of the adoption
3. GST is included in all pricing
ADOPTION FEES - Dogs & Puppies
MALE - Neutered while in Pound, or as condition of adoption
$ 158.27 **
MALE - Neutered by previous owner
$ 75.00
FEMALE - Spayed while in Pound, or as condition of adoption
$ 188.51 **
FEMALE - Spayed by previous owner
$ 75.00
Vaccination
$ 46.45
Microchip identification (only if implanted during surgery)
$ 20.00
1. Additional fees if dog is - in heat, pregnant, obese, giant breed
2. ** Spay / Neuter surgery is included in the price of the adoption
3. GST is included in all pricing.
4. Dogs over 4 months of age will require a dog licence
All cats & dogs, kittens & puppies are spayed or neutered prior to or, as a condition of adoption.
Elk Lake Veterinary Hospital www.elvh.ca conduct the spay & neuter surgeries, vaccinations & microchip implants.
In 2004 we Adopted: 12 Dogs, 55 Cats and 15 Other Animals to new homes and spayed or neutered 46 animals.
In 2005 we Adopted: 22 Dogs, 104 Cats and 19 Other Animals to new homes and spayed or neutered 52 animals.
In 2006 we Adopted: 14 Dogs, 124 Cats and 19 Other Animals to new homes and spayed or neutered 82 animals.
In 2007 we Adopted: 18 Dogs, 102 Cats and 12 Other Animals to new homes and spayed or neutered 70 animals.
In 2008 we Adopted: 17 Dogs, 96 Cats and 15 Other Animals to new homes and spayed or neutered 56 animals.
In 2009 we Adopted: 12 Dogs, 100 Cats and 13 Other Animals to new homes and spayed or neutered 51 animals.
To welcome your new companion home . . .
Adopters receive a Bosley's Pet Food discount coupon for all initial purchases of pet food & accessories. (Burnside store only)
Adopters also receive six-weeks of fREE hEALTH iNSURANCE from Petsecure Pet Insurance (80% coverage) for a wide range of common illnesses and accidents.
DOG LICENCES
Where to buy / Rates / Conditions
2010 City of Victoria DOG LICENCES are available at:
A Pet's Life - 2019 Cadboro Bay Rd. 592-3301
Baywest Rona Home Centre - 220 Bay St. 595-1225
Bosley's Pet Food - 491 Burnside Rd. E 385-6411
Chez Terry's Pet Food - #12 1516 Fairfield Rd. 592-6911
City Hall - #1 Centennial Square 385-5711
Crystal Pool - 2275 Quadra St. 361-0732
Hillside Vet Hospital - 1700 Kings Rd. 598-4477
Hobby Beers & Wines - 1302 Finlayson St. 382-2739
Hollywood Pet Centre - 1702 Lillian Rd. 598-7331
Kritters & Fins Pet Shop - 712 View St. 384-9728
James Bay Community Centre - 140 Oswego St. 389-1470
Bone Idol Pet Supplies (Prime Time Video) - 230 Menzies St. 382-BONE
Oak Bay Pet Clinic - 1826 Oak Bay Ave. 598-4595
POUND & Adoption Centre - 564 David St. 414-0233
Animal Control Officers also sell licences from their vans - just ask them !
2010 Oak Bay DOG LICENCES are available at:
Oak Bay Municipal Hall - 2167 Oak Bay Ave. 598-3311
POUND & Adoption Centre - 564 David St. 414-0233
Animal Control Officers also sell licences from their vans - just ask them !
LICENCE FEES
City of Victoria
If purchased January 01 - March 31
If purchased April 01 - December 31
Male
$ 35
Male
$ 45
Male (neutered)
$ 25
Male (neutered)
$ 35
Female
$ 35
Female
$ 45
Female (spayed)
$ 25
Female (spayed)
$ 35
District of Oak Bay
If purchased January 01 - 31
If purchased February 01 - December 31
Male
$ 55
Male
$ 60
Male (neutered)
$ 39
Male (neutered)
$ 44
Female
$ 55
Female
$ 60
Female (spayed)
$ 39
Female (spayed)
$ 44
LICENCE CONDITIONS
ALL DOGS OVER THE AGE OF 4 MONTHS ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED regardless of any circumstance or reason. Licences are valid for a calendar year and must be renewed yearly. Licence regulations are STRICTLY ENFORCED.
LOST or STOLEN tags can be REPLACED for $5.00 - Take your original licence form to a vendor to prove you previously purchased a licence or the vendor can contact Victoria Animal Control Services to confirm your licence status.
LICENCES &/or TAGS are NOT TRANSFERABLE - If you obtain a new dog you must obtain a new licence for it. Licences cannot be transferred from owner to owner or from dog to dog.
TAGS can be EXCHANGED - If you have recently moved to the City of Victoria or Oak Bay and possess a current year licence from any municipality anywhere in Canada you can surrender your current licence tag in exchange for a City of Victoria or Oak Bay licence tag for no charge. If your out-of-town tag is not date stamped, proof of purchase date is required.
If your dog has been SPAYED or NEUTERED in the preceding 12 months your licence is free of charge (only one free licence per spay or neuter). Proof of procedure (receipt from Veterinarian) is mandatory.
If your dog is a CERTIFIED GUIDE or ASSISTANCE DOG your licence is free of charge. Proof of certification may be required if status is not obvious.
EARLY PURCHASE INCENTIVES (City of Victoria ONLY) - Save $10.00 when you purchase a licence on or before March 31st AND you will automatically be eligible to win one of three prizes listed below.
1st PRIZE $75 Pet Store GIFT CERTIFICATE and City of Victoria Licence Tag #0001
2nd PRIZE $50 Pet Store GIFT CERTIFICATE
3rd PRIZE $25 Pet Store GIFT CERTIFICATE
Congratulations to the Karen White!
"Pepper" is the 2010 winner of the licence draw and is the City of Victoria's "Number 1 dog!"
Charlayne Thornton-Joe (Councillor) presents 1st Prize and tag #0001 to "Pepper".
Pepper is too fascinated with a reflection of light to look at the camera!
Tips to Find Your Missing Pet
Who to call / Where to look / What to do
The following are our best suggestions to assist you in locating your missing pet.
View the FOUND STRAYS link (above) on this Website
Call or Visit your local Pound
City of Victoria ► Victoria Animal Control Services Ltd.
Oak Bay POUND & Adoption Centre - 564 David St. 414-0233
Other Municipalities ► C.R.D. Animal Control
POUND - 5401 Pat Bay Hwy. 658-5745
Call or Visit your local Animal Shelter
Greater Victoria ► S.P.C.A. ANIMAL SHELTER - 3150 Napier Lane 388-7722
The Victoria SPCA do not take in stray or abandoned animals or enforce Animal Control bylaws anymore. They investigate cruelty complaints and provide shelter for sick, injured & owner surrendered animals. If your animal was found in a sick or injured state (regardless who found it - VACS, Saanich Pound, CRD or private citizen) it may be in the care of the SPCA.
Call your nearest Veterinarian office
People who find animals will sometimes take them to a nearby veterinarian office & drop them off. Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital is open 24 hours a day and is often the unofficial depository of found animals after business hours.
Check the Lost & Found classified sections of local newspapers
Times-Colonist (section #364)
Check the following websites
Victoria Adoptables ► www.victoriaadoptables.com check: (lost & found pet notices)
Used Victoria ► www.usedvictoria.com
Craig's List ► www.victoria.en.craigslist.ca check: (pets) & (lost + found)
Victoria Lost Pets ► www.victorialostpets.com
Check for Found Animal posters in your neighbourhood
Check your neighbourhood: hydro poles, trees, corner store, veterinarian office
Regrettably, a thorough search also involves calling the agency that picks up dead animals from local streets.
City of Victoria ► Street Cleaning Dept. 361-0418
Oak Bay ► Public Works 598-4501
Saanich ► Saanich Pound Officers 475-4321 (police non-emerg line)
Other Areas ► Call CRD Animal Control 478-0624
Search your home
If you are missing a cat or other small animal - it may not be lost - it might be hiding somewhere in your residence! Closets, cupboards, hollow furniture, basement rafters, drawers in furniture, empty luggage, filing cabinets, holes in walls where pipes come through are all potential areas for cats to explore and sometimes become trapped. We also suggest that you check underneath porches, crawl spaces, outbuildings and even your rooftop.
Search your neighbourhood
We recommend you check your area on foot or on bicycle you will see more, hear more & have the ability to speak to people more easily. Check local parks, school grounds, corner stores, beaches etc. Go slow it produces better results.
Try early morning &/or late evening searches. Voices carry better & your scent may be detected by your pet more easily.
Cats are sometimes found hiding in trees, atop hydro poles or may have been unknowingly closed into a garage or other structure.
DO NOT TRESPASS ask for permission to look for your pet on private property.
Design a Lost Animal Poster
Keep it simple
A photo is a must (colour is best)
Provide a phone number, DO NOT provide your address
Provide unique details about your pet
Consider a $ reward
Distribute a Lost Animal Poster
Even though many persons do it it is unlawful to attach a poster to a hydro or telephone pole
It is better to hand deliver posters to individual mailboxes rather than rely on a passing glance at a poster on a pole
Canada Post offers very reasonable rates on Householder Mailings. The Fort St. and Yates St. Postal Stations have full details.
Take a copy of your poster to each of the local Pound and Shelter facilities
Other Things to Do
Hang recently worn articles of clothing outside. Your scent may reach the intended target and be a beacon to guide your pet back home.
Be vigilant, don't call off your search even if your pet has been missing for several weeks. Occasionally a lost pet will turn up at the Pound months after it has gone missing.
Cats are sometimes "unknown stowaways" in vehicles and can be transported a considerable distance from your home. Check all the Pounds & Shelters, not just your local facility.
Depending on the cat and the circumstance in which it went missing some cats will not respond to their owner's call for any reason. Your cat could literally be just feet away from you hiding in some obscure spot, listening to your voice, smelling its favorite food in the bowl that you are carrying, but, it won't a move a muscle or make a sound. Why? Because the cat's survival instincts are telling it not to. A scared, frightened, traumatized cat can only focus on one thing . . . survival. The cat's instincts (not wanting to become dinner for some nearby predator) will prevent it from coming out of its hiding spot. It may stay hidden for weeks and weeks.
Cats which are usually 'skitterish' and reclusive are probably more likely to exhibit Lost Cat Behaviour than a cat which is ordinarily friendly and social, however, any cat can suffer from this behaviour. A cat with "Lost Cat Behaviour" may not be easily recognized when it finally comes out of hiding. It will likely be very thin, dirty and its hair may be heavily matted. Expect severe dehydration, hypothermia, injury, fleas, worms, etc. Your cat may look very old and very sick.
A hands and knees search of every nook and cranny (strong flashlight recommended) may be the only way to find this type of cat. If you are not immediately successful, keep trying and be vigilant in your search. Keep checking your neighbourhood, update your posters, let people know the search is still "on".
Prevention
Bylaw regulations require all dogs to be licensed and to wear a licence tag on their collar. Cats are not required to be licensed, however, they too should wear some type of identification. A phone number written onto a collar is really all it takes.
Dozens and dozens of pet owners phone the Pound every week looking for their missing pet. Too frequently it is not there. Most owners advise us that their pet wasn't wearing identification.
Unfortunately, when many people find cats/dogs without identification they assume the animal has no owner. They might knock on a few doors to see if anyone is missing their pet, but too often they take it in and make it their own with little thought for the pet's real owner. Sadly, your cat/dog may live the rest of its life 3 or 4 blocks away from your home and you will never see it again.
People who find cats/dogs with identification immediately realize the animal belongs to someone and (more often than not) will make an effort to return it to its owner or will call Animal Control to pick it up.
99% of the cats that come into the Pound have no identification. Very few are reunited with their original owners. Most are adopted to new owners. (Indoor-cats, never get lost and are likely to have a longer and healthier life).
50 - 60% of dogs that come in as strays have a collar with identification of some type. However, the tag is often unreadable, or is untraceable and therefore ownership cannot be determined.
Keep identification and licence tags in good condition and info current. Ensure your pet wears identification at all times because you never know when or where they are going to go missing.
If your dog is impounded (in the City of Victoria), a $35.00 penalty is added to impoundment fees if you do not possess a current dog licence.
Tattoos and microchips can also increase the likelihood of having a lost animal returned, but they have their limitations and are not a fail safe method.
City of Victoria Animal Control Bylaw
- Dogs must be firmly held on a leash in all public places (except for Leash Optional Areas).
- Dogs over the age of four (4) months must be licensed & display a current year tag on their collar.
- Dogs can not be left unattended in any public place whether or not the dog is secured by a leash.
- Owners are responsible for the immediate removal & lawful disposal of any excrement deposited by their dog.
- Owners are responsible to ensure their dog does not cause a noise disturbance at anytime.
- Owners are responsible to contain their animal (cat, dog, snake, bird, rabbit, etc.) to their own property. Animals found stray in public places or on private property without the permission of the occupier of the property can be IMPOUNDED.
- A maximum of 4 dogs may be kept on a single parcel of land (usually a single family dwelling). Apartment dwellers may keep a maximum of 1 dog per unit. A maximum of 4 dogs can be kept on a strata-titled property regardless of the number of individual suites in the building/complex.
- Farm Animals are prohibited with the exception of chickens, ducks & geese. These fowl can only be kept as pets or for personal egg consumption. Eggs cannot be sold or advertised for sale. Excessive numbers of fowl will bring into question intended use. Roosters are prohibited. If you are thinking about keeping chickens call us and we will tell you the issues and potential problems to avoid. Potbellied pigs are considered Farm Animals regardless of where they are kept (indoors or outdoors).
IMPOUNDED ANIMALS are temporarily kept at the POUND at 564 David St., Victoria, B.C. 414-0233. All animals are kept at least 96 hours. If after 96 hours the animal's owner has not come forward to claim their animal the Bylaw allows for the animal to be sold, given away or put down. In reality, we keep the animal until we are confident that all reasonable efforts to locate or identify the owner have been exhausted. In all but few cases, unclaimed animals are made available for Adoption. In 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 we found new homes for every unclaimed adoptable-animal* that came into the POUND. (*does not include feral cats or animals with serious behaviour or health issues).
If you want more information or have any questions regarding this Bylaw or any Animal Control issue please call Victoria Animal Control Services Ltd. at 414-0233 and ask to speak to an Officer.
To view the Animal Control Bylaw & its Amendments please go to www.victoria.ca/cityhall/bylaws_list.shtml
Barking Dogs
Identifying problems & solutions
THE BYLAW
The City of Victoria Animal Control Bylaw regulates barking from dogs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It governs public places, private property and any type of vehicle.
It is expected that dogs will bark given the regular comings and goings of a neighbourhood. However, if the barking is excessive or is at night the barking may violate the provisions of the Bylaw.
It is difficult to pin-point the exact moment when barking becomes excessive as the Bylaw is subjective in nature and each circumstance has its own unique factors, but usually, excessive barking is barking that is frequent and/or persistent and disturbing to the neighbourhood.
At night there is no justifiable legal reason for a dog to bark unless the cause for the barking is truly unexpected. An example would be; your neighbour's house was on fire; or the police chased a "bad guy" through your backyard. Raccoons, sirens, the moon, people walking by your house shouting, etc., are not unexpected occurrences and do not provide a justifiable reason for a dog to bark between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am of the next day (8:00 am Saturdays, 9:00 am Sundays & Statutory Holidays).
THE FIRST COMPLAINT
If you are disturbed by a barking dog and decide to call Animal Control you must provide the following information.
1. Your NAME, ADDRESS and PHONE NO. Anonymous complaints are not investigated.
The complainant's identity is not provided to the dog owner. You are always identified as "the complainant". We purposely do not use terms such as "he" or "she" when referring to you. Your identity will not be revealed to the dog owner unless the matter needs to be resolved in court and you agree to be a witness.
2. The ADDRESS of the barking dog. We do not search neighbourhoods to locate the barking dog.
3. You must also provide a BRIEF ACCOUNT or HISTORY of recent barking disturbances.
Animal Control Officers do not initially know how valid your complaint may or may not be. We likely do not live on your street nor are we parked outside in our vehicles listening to what is going on 24 hours a day. Still, an Officer will attend at the location of the alleged barking dog and speak with occupants to:
(a) identify the dog's owner & determine the likelihood of the complaint
(b) inform the dog owner of Bylaw regulations pertaining to barking
(c) identify barking motivations & suggest possible remedies
(d) inform the dog owner the complainant will be counseled to keep a Barking Log if they are further disturbed
(e) ensure the dog is currently licensed
The Officer will then telephone you and advise you of the outcome of the discussions with the dog owner.
It is our experience that most dog owners are concerned for their neighbours and do not want their dogs to be a disturbance to a neighbourhood. Some owners have no idea their dog was creating a disturbance and sincerely regret any inconvenience they may have caused and take immediate action to lessen or stop the barking.
If the dog continues to bark and causes you further disturbances you must produce a written log of the barking to verify that a violation of the Bylaw is occurring (see next heading for information & instructions).
BARKING LOG
With our initial approach, 80 to 90 % of barking complaints are resolved by a single face-to-face meeting with the dog owner. However, there are occasions when barking continues and the complainant is further disturbed. If this occurs and the complainant wishes to make a second or subsequent complaint they must produce a written account of the barking disturbances.
Officers will not re-visit any barking complaint unless the complainant has kept a "Barking Log". It is absolutely mandatory that the complainant keep detailed, accurate and factual notes of the barking.
The following types of information should be recorded:
1. DATE ( year / month / day )
2. EXACT TIMES when barking started (eg. 9:17 am - 9:22 am - 9:25 am)
3. DURATIONS of barking (eg. 22 seconds - 09 seconds - 57 seconds)
4. How did the barking disturb you?
5. Note whether or not the dog visible to you each time when it barked?
6. When you can observe the dog, document whatever appears to be motivating the dog to bark.
7. If you go out - document when you leave and when you return or there will appear to be long periods of time when the dog is not barking.
8. Occasionally document where the dog is when it is barking (eg. by backdoor, at gate, middle of yard)
A Barking Log is complete when the complainant has recorded three (3) days of significant barking in any 10 day period. The three days do not need to be consecutive and can occur in any pattern within any 10 days.
Upon completion of the 3rd day (of documented barking) the complainant should immediately contact Animal Control and advise. An Officer will make arrangements to pick up the Log and it will be reviewed to determine whether a violation has occurred. If it is apparent that a violation has occurred the Officer will re-visit the dog owner with Barking Log in hand to (A) inform the owner a violation has occurred and (B) warn the owner further disturbances will result in daily ($100) fines. Officers will again endeavor to work with the dog owner to find solutions so that penalties can be avoided.
At this point very few dog owners continue to allow their dog to cause a disturbance. However, if barking continues the complainant must complete a second Barking Log in keeping with the same standards as the first log. When a second log is received that confirms a violation has occurred Officers will canvass other residents near to the source of the barking to identify other persons who can corroborate general or specific allegations. Officers may themselves monitor the source of the barking for periods of time.
Officers will issue tickets when there is a reasonable expectation the violator will be convicted. Officers may issue tickets based on individual or corroborated statements. Complainants must be prepared to go to court and provide testimony if required.
Complainants are forewarned that personal integrity and diligence are very important to the successful resolution of a barking complaint. Poor record keeping, general statements (eg. "dog barked all day 9am - 5pm"), exaggeration, fabrication, lack of tolerance for neighbours are all reasons for an Officer to conclude an investigation. Files closed for any of these reasons will not be reactivated for 12 months.
PENALTIES
In those circumstances where the initial efforts of the Animal Control Officer has done little or nothing to restore the peace & quiet of a neighbourhood, a $100.00 fine can be issued to the dog's owner for each day the barking, howling, or crying from the dog violates the Bylaw.
The Animal Control Officer does not need to witness (see or hear) a violation. They can issue a ticket (on reasonable and probable grounds) when there is credible documented evidence by witnesses who are willing to go to court and provide testimony.
At this stage, tickets are issued because the dog owner's actions to remedy the problem have been insufficient or non-existent.
In some cases tickets do not bring about any change whatsoever and may provoke the dog owner to be more uncooperative and more unreasonable and can result in even more disturbances. If this occurs, it can be argued the dog owner is keeping an "habitually noisy dog" which is strictly prohibited by the Bylaw. The Animal Control Officer can at this point (with approval from the City) seek an injunction from a Provincial Court to compel the dog owner to no longer keep the dog within the City of Victoria boundaries.
In lieu of an injunction the owner could surrender the dog to Animal Control where it would be adopted-out to a more suitable and responsible person or family.
Off-Leash Parks
Areas Prohibited to Dogs
On June 01, 2005 new Bylaw amendments came into affect regulating dog activity in City of Victoria parks.
The amendments have provided dog owners with additional off-leash opportunities and have also prohibited owners from taking their dogs into some areas (playgrounds, cemeteries & heron rookery).
In addition to Dallas Rd. (24 / 7) and Gonzales Beach (Sep to May) there are now six (6) new areas within the City where owners can lawfully exercise their dogs without a leash.
For specific details click on the following link www.victoria.ca/dogs/ .
Owners must maintain effective control over their dog(s) at all times while in Off-Leash Areas. Dogs must be within the owner's vision and command at all times. If you can not see your dog, or it does not respond to you within three calls, clearly, you do not have effective control over your dog.
Dogs "in heat" are prohibited from Off-Leash Areas. Dogs declared "Dangerous" may not be unleashed or un-muzzled in any Off-Leash Area.
If you wish to make your opinions known about Dogs and Parks please use the following email address DogFeedback@victoria.ca
As of July 25, 2008 the following Parks have been added to the Off-Leash inventory.
Banfield Park: Apr 1 to Sep 30 0600 to 0900 and 1700 to 2200
Oct 1 to Mar 31 0600 to 2200
The Leash Optional Area is adjacent to the basketball court and can be used as outlined above.
Pemberton Park: 24 / 7 / 365 0600 to 2200
The Leash Optional Area only applies to the sports field.
When baseball fencing is in place the Off-Leash area shrinks to the area outside of the fencing nearest Gonzales Ave.
Songhess Hilltop: 24 / 7 / 365 0600 to 2200
The Leash Optional Area applies to the entire park.
Dogs, Owners &
Animal
Control Regulations
Dog
Ownership has its rewards and its responsibilities. Dog ownership is
a regulated
activity and there can be consequences for non-compliance.
Owners
are required to meet the minimum standard of the Bylaw (nothing more).
The
following information is provided to give Dog Owners a better understanding of
their obligations and the authorities of Animal Control Officers.
Animal Control Officers (Poundkeepers) are appointed by Council to enforce the Animal Control Bylaw.
Officers can investigate any circumstance in which a dog is found (public or private property) to ensure minimum standards of the Animal Control Bylaw are being adhered to.
Anyone
in possession of a dog is required to abide by Bylaw regulations.
