Dogs in Saanich

Use your Petiquette...

  1. pick up after your dog
  2. obey leash regulations
  3. be mindful of the environment

Check out our Park Petiquette brochure [PDF - 116 KB]!

Bring your dog

Did you know that only a small number of our parks have dog restrictions? Most allow dogs that are on leash or under effective control. There are no designated dog parks in Saanich.

General Regulations

Under Control

You must keep dogs in any public place on a leash or under effective control at all times. Not all park guests are comfortable around dogs. Do not allow your pets to jump on or run up to other park users.

Dog Waste

Do not leave doggy bags on side of roads or trailsOwners must clean up after their pets. Be prepared to pick up after your dog and bring your own supplies.

Dispose of your doggy doo bags properly. This means follow a pack it in, pack it out process. You may need to bring filled waste bags home with you. Please, do not throw these bags along road or trail sides. 

See Bylaw No. 8556, Section 14.1 [PDF - 3 MB] for more details.

Leashes

Dogs must be on a leash:

  • NEW! In Cadboro-Gyro Park [PDF - 371 KB]
  • NEW! Cadboro Bay beach (Telegraph Bay Rd to Hibbens Cl)
  • On school grounds
  • Within 10 metres of playground equipment
  • In the Royal Oak Burial Park
  • On the Lochside Trail within the Blenkinsop Lake area (Blenkinsop Lake Park)
  • In Cedar Hill Park, including all trails
  • Along the perimeter trail in Rithet's Bog

Restrictions for Dogs

Please leave your dog at home when you visit:

  • Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
  • Quick’s Bottom Park

Due to the sensitive environment in these areas, dogs are not permitted at any time.

Dogs cannot be on artificial turf fields, in Rithet's Bog (other than leashed on the perimeter trail) or within 50m of Kings Pond in Cedar Hill Park (except leashed on chip trail).

From March 1 to October 31 dogs can’t be in fenced baseball fields.

Please keep dogs out of tennis and pickleball court areas - these surfaces are for racquet sports only.

Seasonal Restrictions for Dogs

From May 1 to August 31 keep dogs out of the following areas:

  • Whitehead Park
  • This section of Cordova Bay Beach EXCEPT before 9 a.m.

Cordova Bay Beach between the south edge of Cordova Bay Park and the north edge of the Walema Avenue right-of-way, EXCEPT before 9 a.m.

  • This section of Mount Douglas Park

 Mount Douglas Park beach and the part of Mount Douglas Park bounded by Cordova Bay Road, Ash Road, Douglas Creek, the natural boundary of the ocean and the northwesterly boundary of the park, EXCEPT the asphalt road surface lying to the northwest of the picnic area between the two gates

Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Map of the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird SanctuarySome of Saanich’s waterfront (including all of Cadboro Bay) is located within the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Visitors to these areas should be aware that specific rules and regulations apply to these areas including some that pertain to dogs. For more information, please visit the Government of Canada webpage.

Map courtesy of the Friends of the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Working and Service Dogs

Are exempt while working.

See the Animals Bylaw [PDF - 3 MB] for full details. For enforcement, please call Saanich Animal Control 250-475-4321.