What is a dangerous dog?
A “dangerous dog” is one who:
Approaches a person, or domestic animal in an apparent attitude of attack – without provocation
An “apparent attitude of attack” includes, but is not limited to: snarling, bared teeth and raised hackles
Is known to attack without provocation
Has bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation
Is owned primarily for the purpose of fighting, or is trained for fighting
When is an aggressive dog not considered dangerous?
A dog who is displaying aggressive behaviour is not considered dangerous if they were engaged in one of the following at the time:
Police work
Working as a guard dog on a commercial property,
The dog must be secured within a fenced enclosure suitable to prevent the dog’s escape and to prevent children from entering the enclosure
Reporting a dangerous dog
Animal control is a municipal responsibility; dangerous dogs should be reported to your local municipality.
I’ve been bitten by a dog. What do I do?
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you should clean the wound immediately with soap and warm water, and see your physician as soon as possible. Your physician will discuss: the possibility of infection of the bite wound, the need for a tetanus immunization and the potential for rabies transmission.
Your physician is required - under the Public Health Act (Saskatchewan) – to report all animal bites to Population and Public Health. Additionally, your physician is required to contact Communicable Disease Control (CDC; Saskatchewan) to discuss whether or not you should be vaccinated against rabies.
Population and Public Health will contact both yourself and the dog’s owner within 48 hours to determine the circumstances around the biting incident.
You should report the biting incident to Animal Control.
My dog has been declared dangerous. Now what?
If the Courts declare your dog to be dangerous, you may be required to abide by one or more of the following conditions:
Keep the dog in a locked enclosure, for which specific construction requirements exist.
Keep the dog muzzled and under control when he/she is removed from his/her enclosure
Maintain a minimum $300 000 in liability insurance to cover any future incidents
Clearly display a sign on your property warning of the presence of a dangerous dog
Keep the dog’s rabies vaccination status up-to-date
In extreme cases, the Court may order that your dog be humanely destroyed. You have seven days to appeal this decision.
The Government of Saskatchewan does not require the immediate destruction of a dog who has been involved in a biting incident.
Instead, your dog must be kept in a secure environment (i.e. a kennel or pen) and their behaviour is to be monitored for 10 days (the rabies incubation period). If, within this 10-day period, your dog’s behaviour becomes concerning, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) requires that the person monitoring the dog must contact 306-665-4621 for further information.
Concerning behaviour includes, but is not limited to: showing paralysis of the face and/or neck. This generally manifests as trouble swallowing. Other concerning behaviour includes: unusual excitement or aggression and/or attacking objects.