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Vancouver’s dogs and the bylaws they bark by

Related: Kitsilano’s dogs run free of the bylaw Vancouver has a reputation as a dog-friendly city. Canines are everywhere. Dog…

By Kendall Walters , in , on November 25, 2010 Tags: , , , ,

Related: Kitsilano’s dogs run free of the bylaw

Vancouver has a reputation as a dog-friendly city. Canines are everywhere. Dog owners lead them down city streets, let them run in dog parks and, lots of times, unleash them places where they shouldn’t. Read on to find out more about Vancouver’s dog population and how it’s regulated.

A sign at Kitsilano's Hadden Park dog beach reminds dog owners where they can and can't unleash their pups.

How many dogs live in Vancouver?

  • There are between 20,000 and 25,000 licensed dogs.
  • City officials are unsure exactly how many unlicensed dogs live in the city.
  • Rex in the City, Animal Control’s guide to owning a dog in Vancouver, estimates 80,000 dogs live here.

How many off-leash dog parks are there in Vancouver?

What are Vancouver’s main bylaws regarding dogs?

  • Dogs must have a valid license from the city.
  • Dogs must be on a leash not more than 2.5 metres long, except when in designated off-leash dog parks.
  • Dogs are not allowed on bathing beaches, whether on- or off-leash.
  • Dog owners must pick up after their dog.
  • Dog noise, including barking, cannot bother the dog’s neighbours or people who do not live with the dog.
  • These and other dog-related bylaws can be found on Animal Control’s website.

Where does Animal Control patrol?

  • They look after Vancouver’s 200 plus parks, including the City’s 33 off-leash dog parks.
  • Animal Control’s 11 officers patrol seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. They respond primarily to complaints.

What does Animal Control receive calls about?

  • Animal Control gets 3,000 to 4,000 calls every month.
  • Approximately 2,000 of those calls, the majority, are about at-large or stray dogs, which includes dogs off-leash in non-designated areas.
  • Over 700 are for deceased animal pickup, such as road kill.
  • More than 400 are about dog aggression or attacks.
  • The remainder deal with animal noise, unlicensed dogs and other concerns.

How can you contact Animal Control?

Information from: John Gray, assistant manager of Vancouver’s Animal Control and the City of Vancouver Animal Control website

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