---
title: Abbotsford rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?"
place: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/abbotsford
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: regional
owner_body: Fraser Valley Regional District
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Abbotsford rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

**Question:** What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Fraser Valley Regional District, https://www.fvrd.ca)  
**Cost:** Licence: aggressive or dangerous dog $295 a year (spayed or neutered) or $354 (not). Nuisance dog $148 or $177. Microchip $60.  
**Where:**
- Phone: FVRD Animal Control, 1-844-495-CARE (Business hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Abbotsford Police Department non-emergency (after hours), 604-859-5225

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** 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.
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Part B; s. 21, 22, 23](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** 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.
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026), s. 24; Schedule C](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Aggressive or dangerous dog licence: $295 a year if spayed or neutered, $354 if not. (Nuisance dog: $148 or $177.)
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Schedule A (Bylaw 1854, 2026)](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive Altered Dog (each) $295" … "Aggressive Unaltered Dog (each) $354"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, Licence Fees table / Licence fees by dog classification](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control/dog-licences.html)
  - Official wording: "| 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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Fraser Valley Regional District, Complaints and Emergencies](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control.html)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Bylaw Services, FAQ](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services)
  - Official wording: "For dangerous dog calls after hours please contact the Abbotsford Police non-emergency number at 604-859-5225"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated), Schedule A-3, s. 17, 24](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated), s. 5.2, 5.3](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (Part F, Aggressive Dogs); Community Charter s. 49 for dangerous dogs
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Part A, F](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation" … "Bylaw No. 1206, 2013" … "Aggressive Dogs"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

After 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.

## Owner rules

- 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.
- Let the FVRD implant a microchip (fee $60) or scan an existing one.
- Give the FVRD a photo within 7 working days of the designation.

## Good to know

- The licence is $295 a year if the dog is spayed or neutered, $354 if not.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, PDF)](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Abbotsford dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dog-licence.md)
- [Abbotsford dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dog-leash-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedules per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control/dog-licences.html) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control, Fraser Valley Regional District](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control.html) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Services, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services) (read 2026-11-05)
- [FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Fraser Valley Regional District. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs/_