FAQs

Langley Animal Protection Society

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FAQs

When do I have to get a dog licence for my dog? 

You are required to purchase a licence for your dog as soon as you move to Langley and then every calendar year by January 15.

Where do I get a dog licence

You can buy your dog licence in person or by phone by contacting the Patti Dale Animal Shelter (604-857-5055).  If your dog has been spayed or neutered, please make sure that you have your spay/neuter certificate available for confirmation.

Why do I need a dog licence?

Every dog over the age of 4 months in the Township of Langley and 6 months in the City of Langley needs a dog licence every calendar year as stipulated by the Animal Control Bylaw. A dog licence is the best way to identify your dog and has proven to be the fastest way to return your dog home should it get lost.

Where do my dog licensing dollars go?

Licensing revenue is used by the municipality to provide services for dog owners. This includes maintaining off-leash parks, providing a safe and healthy animal shelter and providing the resources to enforce the Animal Control Bylaw to keep the public safe.  Not only are licensing dollars used to care for lost, stray and unwanted dogs in our community, but they may one day be used to care for your dog should it become lost.

Who do I call if I have found a dog licence?

Call LAPS at 604-857-5055. We will contact the owner and make arrangements for the tag to be returned.

Who should I call about a stray dog in my neighbourhood?

Call LAPS at 604-857-5055. An Animal Control Officer will attend to collect the dog. The shelter is the safest place for the dog to be until its owners can be found.

What do I do with a stray dog that I have found

Call LAPS at 604-857-5055. An Animal Control Officer will attend to collect the dog. Bringing the dog to the shelter is the fastest way to get the dog back to its owner.

Who do I call if there are livestock on the road?

Call LAPS at 604-857-5055. An Animal Control Officer will attend.

What should I do if I have been bit by a dog?

Call LAPS at 604-857-5055. An Animal Control Officer will investigate the incident. If possible, please take photographs of the injury and document the following basic information: date, time, location, description of dog, address of dog owner and a description of the incident.  If the skin is broken, make sure that the wound is cleaned immediately and frequently.  It is important to consider seeking medical attention.

What will happen if my dog bites someone

If the incident is reported to LAPS, an Animal Control Officer will investigate the incident and will provide recommendations or take enforcement action to minimize the risk of further incidents.  Even if the incident is not reported to LAPS, it is important for you to consider the circumstances that resulted in the bite. As a dog owner, you have a duty of care to prevent your dog from biting or causing injury to persons or animals. Aggressive behaviour in dogs is serious and must be managed appropriately. LAPS has trained professionals on staff at the Patti Dale Animal Shelter that can discuss a management plan with you should this be appropriate. Please contact LAPS at 604-857-5055.

Can I use an electric fence to contain my dog on my property?

No. The Animal Control Bylaws in both the City and the Township of Langley require that a dog must be securely confined to a property through either the use of secure fencing, tethering, leashing or confining the dog to a dwelling. Many dogs will simply pass through the electric fence.

Who should I call about a dog in a hot vehicle?

In the City of Langley, LAPS will respond to calls for dogs in hot vehicles when the conditions pose a reasonable concern. Please call LAPS at 604-857-5055.   In the Township of Langley, please contact the BC SPCA at their Abbotsford branch by calling 604-850-1584.

Who should I call about a dog/animal that is being abused?

Please contact the BC SPCA at their Abbotsford branch by calling 604-850-1584.

How many dogs can I have?

The Animal Control Bylaws in both the City and the Township of Langley limit the number of dogs over the age of 4 months to 2 per parcel of land. In the Township of Langley, dogs under the age of 4 months are limited to those that are from a licenced female from that property.

What can I do about a barking dog in my neighbourhood?

If possible, it is always best to address a barking dog concern directly with the dog owner. In many cases, they can resolve the issue without it creating a strain on a neighbourly relationship. If you are not able or willing to address the matter yourself, you may contact LAPS for further assistance. Please refer to our Bylaw Information (link to the blog article bylaw) page for more details.

How do I dispute a fine

You may dispute a fine (ticket) that has been issued to you within 14 days of receiving it. To do so, you must submit a written notice of dispute to the City or Township of Langley. Once a notice of dispute has been received, you will be contacted by the appropriate screening officer who will provide you with further instructions.

Where do I pay a fine?

You may pay any Bylaw Violation Notice issued to you for an Animal Control Bylaw infraction at the Patti Dale Animal Shelter. Municipal Ticket Informations (MTI) issued for offences in the City of Langley must be paid directly at City Hall.

What happens if I don’t pick up my dog from the shelter after it has been impounded?

You, as a dog owner, have a responsibility to pay the impound fees whether you claim your dog or not. This is stipulated in the Animal Control Bylaw. Legal action will be taken against you should you not comply with this requirement.  Should you not claim your dog within 72 hours of it being impounded, it will be evaluated to ensure that it can safely be re-homed. Once an unclaimed dog is re-homed, the previous owner has no legal standing to claim the dog.

Where are the off-leash parks in Langley?

The following parks have designated off-leash areas.

Aldergrove Park (GVRD) – 8th Avenue & Lefeuvre
Brookswood Off Leash Park – 206th Street & 44A Avenue
Brydon Park – 198 Street & 53 Avenue
Campbell Valley Park (GVRD) – 204th Street & 4th Avenue
City Park –  207 Street & 48 Avenue
Derby Reach Park (GVRD) – Allard Crescent
Linwood Park – 201 A Street & Michaud Crescent
Walnut Grove Off-Leash (Hydro Site) – 213th Street & 96th
Uplands Dog-Off Leash Park – 206 Street & 44 A Avenue

Please remember that municipal parks are multi-use facilities. Please ensure that your dog is leashed at all times unless you are in a designated off-leash area. It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog is under control at all times – even in off-leash areas! Please clean up after your dog.

My neighbour has a Pitbull, is that an aggressive or dangerous dog?

Both the City and the Township of Langley do not regulate dogs based on breed. Therefore, for a Pitbull to be considered either an aggressive or dangerous dog, it must demonstrate behaviour that meets the definition as established in the Animal Control Bylaw.

Who should I call if there are wild animals (bears, coyotes, deer) in my neighbourhood?

Please contact the Conservation Officers Service (Provincial Agency) at 1-800-663-7867 if the animals pose a threat to public safety.

Who can I call about raccoons in my yard?

Raccoons and other wildlife are a natural part of our environment. However, should they be a nuisance to you on your property, you may take action by contacting a licensed wildlife pest management service (private contractor). Please consult the Yellow Pages for a service provider near you.

Do cats need licences?

No. Cats are not required to be licensed either in the City or the Township of Langley. However, we do recommend that cat owners have a name tag with a phone number on their cats to enable them to be returned home. Furthermore, we recommend that owners consider having indoor only cats. Keeping cats indoors has been proven to prolong their lives significantly as they are often easy targets for predators if wandering loose outdoors.

Who should I call about stray cats in my yard?

There is no agency that will respond to address stray cats. If stray cats are a problem in your neighbourhood, we suggest that you attempt to address this concern directly with the cat owner if possible. Also, humane cat repellant products are available from pet supply stores should you wish to deter cats from coming onto your property.

Who should I call about a deceased animal on my property?

You are responsible for deceased animals on your property. Should you need assistance in removing one, please contact LAPS for a quote. LAPS will attend to your property, remove the animal and dispose of it for a service fee.

Who should I call about a deceased animal on the road?

If the animal is a dog (only), please call LAPS at 604-857-5055. For any other type of animal, please contact the appropriate municipal government. The City of Langley can be reached at 604-514-2800. The Township of Langley can be reached at 604-534-3211.

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