Whereas local governments have no means of knowing if a dog either residing or visiting their local government has been previously deemed as a dangerous dog by another local government; And whereas local governments would like to protect as much as possible both residents and other pets from exposure to dogs that have a history of dangerous behaviour: Therefore be it resolved that a provincial dangerous dog registry be established for all dogs that have killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal across the province and all local government animal control agencies, municipalities, municipal police and RCMP register all dogs they have deemed as perpetrating such behaviour; And be it further resolved that all local governments be authorized to use this provincial registry to seek compliance with this designation in their local government.
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development The Community Charter and the Local Government Act provide local governments with broad authority in relation to animals. Local governments have the authority to regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to dogs and their owners. Working within this authority, local governments are able to establish rules that enhance the safety of citizens and animals. Currently, local governments may use their animal control authority to create a registry of dangerous dogs within their jurisdictions to protect residents and their pets as well as other animals from dogs that have a history of dangerous behavior. Local governments also have the authority to share such information with other local governments and other authorities such as the municipal police or the RCMP within the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A provincial registry of dangerous dogs that mandates participation across the Province of all local government animal control agencies, municipal police and RCMP would require a thorough policy review to determine the feasibility and the need for such a mandated cross-jurisdictional registry, in particular when current authorities allow for individual registries of dangerous dogs on the local government level. It also requires determining the appropriate ministry responsible for a provincial registry of dangerous dogs, as several ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Justice may have an interest in this issue. The Province appreciates the serious nature of dog related issues and is listening to the perspectives of local governments, community members and key stakeholders such as the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on these issues. However, there are currently no plans to implement a provincial registry of dangerous dogs.