LAPS provides comprehensive animal control services that support public safety, regulatory compliance and community education. Our officers respond promptly to incidents involving stray, dangerous and at-large animals, with a focus on protecting both people and animals while resolving situations professionally and responsibly.
LAPS’ Animal Control Officers are specialized bylaw officers with extensive training in animal management and the resolution of human-animal and animal-animal conflicts and complaints. They are trained in animal welfare, health and behaviour, and bring many years of experience working in the Greater Langley community.
Due to the nature of their work, LAPS Animal Control Officers function as first responders when addressing active dog attacks. Officers respond using enhanced safety measures designed to protect the public while ensuring animals receive appropriate care.
LAPS officers receive layered and overlapping training grounded in shared principles of animal welfare, proportional response, public safety and ethical decision-making. While individual courses focus on different skills and scenarios, together they provide a comprehensive framework that guides how officers assess risk, interact with animals and the public, and ensure the safety of humans and animals while responding to complex situations. Our officers have completed the following training and courses:
This approach focuses on minimizing fear, anxiety and stress in animals during capture, transport and sheltering. Officers are taught to recognize subtle behavioural cues and use low-stress handling techniques that improve safety and animal welfare, avoiding forced restraint whenever possible.
De-escalation training equips officers to safely reduce heightened behaviour in animals and defuse conflict with members of the public. Officers learn how to use calm communication, situational awareness and behavioural assessment to resolve incidents safely and without unnecessary force.
This training prepares officers to safely manage interactions with dogs whose behaviour may be fearful, aggressive or unpredictable. Emphasis is placed on risk assessment, maintaining safe distances, reading canine body language and using protective strategies when required. Defensive handling is typically combined with Fear Free and de-escalation techniques to achieve the safest possible outcome.
Use of Force Theory provides a decision-making framework that ensures any application of force is reasonable, necessary and proportionate. In animal control contexts, this means prioritizing de-escalation and low-stress approaches, and using the least amount of force required to safely resolve a situation while meeting legal and ethical standards.
This foundational course covers the roles and responsibilities of bylaw officers in British Columbia, including relevant legislation, ethical standards, conflict resolution, report writing and safe enforcement practices.
This program teaches about the legal frameworks governing animal control, ethical standards and best practices in animal handling and public safety. The curriculum emphasizes ethical decision-making, conflict resolution, report writing, Use of Force theory and safe enforcement practices.
This specialized training prepares officers to respond to and investigate incidents involving potentially dangerous or aggressive dogs. Instruction includes evidence gathering, witness interviews, risk assessment and the application of legal frameworks, with a strong emphasis on safety, proportional response and ethical decision-making.
Officers receive training in the safe and effective use of animal control tools and protective equipment required for humane capture, restraint and transport. Ongoing workshops and refresher training ensure officers remain current with best practices, emerging tools and evolving legal and ethical standards.