{"title":"Abbotsford rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Fraser Valley Regional District","url":"https://www.fvrd.ca"},"short_answer":"In Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) decides whether a dog is aggressive or dangerous. An aggressive dog must be kept securely enclosed, or leashed (3 metres at most) and muzzled in public. Its licence is $295 spayed or neutered, $354 not. Report to 1-844-495-CARE.","aliases":["dangerous dog bylaw abbotsford","aggressive dog abbotsford","dog bite abbotsford","muzzle dog abbotsford"],"cost":"Licence: aggressive or dangerous dog $295 a year (spayed or neutered) or $354 (not). Nuisance dog $148 or $177. Microchip $60.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"FVRD Animal Control","value":"1-844-495-CARE","note":"Business hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Abbotsford Police Department non-emergency (after hours)","value":"604-859-5225"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, PDF)","url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Abbotsford dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Abbotsford dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dog-leash-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/dangerous-dogs/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs/"},"facts":{"how_declared":{"label":"How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive","value":"An 'aggressive dog' includes a dog that has attacked, bitten or injured a person (with or without provocation), injured a domestic animal in a public place or on others' property, aggressively pursued or harassed a person, vehicle or animal while at large, or was found dangerous or aggressive elsewhere. A 'dangerous dog' is as defined in s. 49 of the Community Charter. The FVRD Chief Animal Control Officer decides, after an officer's written report, and writes to the owner. The owner can appeal in writing within 30 days.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Part B; s. 21, 22, 23","quotes":["a dog that has, with or without provocation, attacked, bitten or caused injury to a","a dog that has been found to be dangerous or aggressive by the Chief Animal","dangerous dog” means a dangerous dog as defined in Section 49 of the Community","If, in the opinion of the Chief Animal Control Officer, grounds exist to consider the dog","the owner of the dog may appeal the classification, in writing, within 30 days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Keep the dog securely confined in an enclosure, or on a leash of no more than 3 metres under the immediate care and control of a competent person and muzzled. Also allow the FVRD to implant a microchip (fee $60) or scan an existing one, and give the FVRD a photo within 7 working days of designation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 24; Schedule C","quotes":["Every owner of an aggressive dog must:","keep the dog securely confined in an enclosure; or","on a leash not exceeding three metres in length;","muzzled to prevent it from biting a person or other animal.","provide a photo of the dog to the Regional District within 7 working days of the","Microchip implant $60.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"Aggressive or dangerous dog licence: $295 a year if spayed or neutered, $354 if not. (Nuisance dog: $148 or $177.)","short":"$295 a year ($354 if not spayed or neutered)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A (Bylaw 1854, 2026)","quotes":["Aggressive Altered Dog (each) $295","Aggressive Unaltered Dog (each) $354"]},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control/dog-licences.html","title":"Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District","section":"Licence Fees table / Licence fees by dog classification","quotes":["| Nuisance Dog - NOT spayed or neutered | $177 | Aggressive or Dangerous Dog - spayed or neutered | $295","| Aggressive or Dangerous Dog - spayed or neutered | $295 | Aggressive or Dangerous Dog- NOT spayed or neutered","| Aggressive or Dangerous Dog- NOT spayed or neutered | $354 | Licence Transfer | $5","| $83 | Nuisance Dog - spayed or neutered | $148 | Nuisance Dog - NOT spayed or neutered | $177 | Aggressive or Dangerous Dog - spayed or neutered | $295"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Call FVRD Animal Control at 1-844-495-CARE (1-844-495-2273) during business hours (Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or email. For a dog attack in progress after hours, call the local police. The City's Bylaw Services page gives the Abbotsford Police non-emergency number for dangerous dog calls after hours: 604-859-5225.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control.html","title":"Animal Control, Fraser Valley Regional District","section":"Complaints and Emergencies","quotes":["please call 1-844-495-CARE or email us. Animal Control staff are available six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm","To report a dog attack in progress after regular business hours, please call your local police department."]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services","title":"Bylaw Services, City of Abbotsford","section":"FAQ","quotes":["For dangerous dog calls after hours please contact the Abbotsford Police non-emergency number at 604-859-5225"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"FVRD bylaw notices: aggressive dog not securely confined, not on a leash, no competent person, no muzzle, no microchip, or no photo: $500 each ($490 early, $510 late). Dog attacking or causing injury: $250. Dog aggressively pursuing or harassing: $250. Dog causing a death: $500. Dog at large: $100.","short":"Notice $500 (aggressive dog rules); $250 attack","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A-3, s. 17, 24","quotes":["24(a) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510","24(b)(iii) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510","24(c) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510","24(e) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510","17(e) Dog Attacking or $250 $240 $260","17(f) Dog Aggressively $250 $240 $260","17(g) Dog Causing $500 $490 $510"]},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.2, 5.3","quotes":["received by the Registry within 14 days of a person receiving or being presumed to have","payment is received more than 28 days after a person received or is presumed to have"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (Part F, Aggressive Dogs); Community Charter s. 49 for dangerous dogs","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Part A, F","quotes":["Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation","Bylaw No. 1206, 2013","Aggressive Dogs"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the FVRD [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206](<https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf>), an aggressive dog includes one that has attacked, bitten or injured a person (with or without provocation), injured a domestic animal in a public place or on others' property, aggressively pursued or harassed a person, vehicle or animal while at large, or was found dangerous or aggressive elsewhere. A dangerous dog is as defined in s. 49 of the Community Charter.\n\nAfter an officer's written report, the FVRD Chief Animal Control Officer decides and writes to the owner. The owner can appeal in writing within 30 days.\n\n## Owner rules\n\n- Keep the dog securely confined in an enclosure, or on a leash of no more than 3 metres under the immediate care and control of a competent person, and muzzled.\n- Let the FVRD implant a microchip (fee $60) or scan an existing one.\n- Give the FVRD a photo within 7 working days of the designation.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The licence is $295 a year if the dog is spayed or neutered, $354 if not.\n- FVRD bylaw notices are $500 each (early $490, late $510) for an aggressive dog not securely confined, not on a leash, with no competent person, no muzzle, no microchip or no photo. A dog attacking or causing injury, or aggressively pursuing or harassing, is $250. A dog causing a death is $500. A dog at large is $100.\n- Report to FVRD Animal Control at 1-844-495-CARE during business hours (Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). For an attack in progress after hours, call the local police. The City's Bylaw Services page gives the Abbotsford Police non-emergency number for after-hours dangerous dog calls: 604-859-5225.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control/dog-licences.html","title":"Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control.html","title":"Animal Control, Fraser Valley Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services","title":"Bylaw Services, City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs.json"}}