{"title":"Chetwynd dog leash rules and off-leash areas","question":"Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?","slug":"dog-leash-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Chetwynd","url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com"},"short_answer":"In Chetwynd, a dog must be on a leash of no more than 2 metres (6.5 feet) and under the control of a competent person in any public place, except a designated off-leash area. The District does not publish a list of off-leash areas that we could find.","aliases":["dog leash chetwynd","off leash dog park chetwynd","dogs in parks chetwynd","dog at large chetwynd"],"cost":"Ticket for a dog at large: $75 first offence, $150 second, $75 more for each further offence within 12 months. Impound fee $30 a day, $15 for part of a day under 6 hours.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control","value":"250-401-4119"},{"type":"in_person","label":"District of Chetwynd Municipal Office","value":"5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF)","url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf"},{"title":"Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010 (PDF)","url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Parks-Public-Places-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-926-2010.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Chetwynd dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Chetwynd rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dangerous-dogs/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-john","name":"Fort St. John","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/dawson-creek","name":"Dawson Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pouce-coupe","name":"Pouce Coupe","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/dog-leash-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules/"},"facts":{"leash_rule":{"label":"Leash rule","value":"A dog must be on a leash and under the immediate control of a competent person in a public place (other than a designated off-leash area), and on private property unless the owner or occupier has given permission for it to be off leash. A dog must not be at large.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"s. 5.1, 5.2","quotes":["An Owner of a dog must not permit, allow, or suffer the dog to be At Large.","shall keep the dog on a Leash and under immediate control of a","competent person while the dog is in a public place (other than a designated off leash"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"leash_length":{"label":"Maximum leash length","value":"2 metres (6.5 feet) at most. A dangerous dog must be on a leash of 1 metre at most when off its owner's property.","short":"2 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"s. 2 \"Leash\"; s. 6.4(a)","quotes":["no longer than 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length","a maximum length of one (1) meter"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"off_leash_areas":{"label":"Off-leash areas","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"The District's site does not list any off-leash areas.","sources":[]},"dogs_not_allowed":{"label":"Places dogs are not allowed","value":"Parks and Public Places Bylaw: no person may permit a dog or other animal to be in a park or public place unless otherwise posted or with prior written approval for a special event.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Parks-Public-Places-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-926-2010.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"s. 4.3.1","quotes":["shall permit any dog or other","animal to be in a park or public place unless otherwise posted or with prior"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"This appears to conflict with Animal Responsibility Bylaw s. 5.2, which lets a leashed dog be in a public place. No list of posted parks was found. Check with the District before taking a dog into a park."},"clean_up":{"label":"Cleaning up","value":"Remove the dog's excrement immediately and put it in a suitable refuse container. Parks bylaw: the person in custody of the dog must remove and dispose of the feces in a sanitary manner. Exempt only an assistance-animal owner who is blind or physically unable.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"s. 5.6, 5.7","quotes":["must immediately remove excrement deposited by the dog and","deposit it in a suitable refuse container","is exempt from section 5.6 if the Owner"]},{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Parks-Public-Places-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-926-2010.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"s. 4.3.2","quotes":["remove from a permitted area or public place and dispose of in a sanitary manner"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine_at_large":{"label":"Fine, dog at large or off leash","value":"Municipal ticket under Animal Responsibility Bylaw Schedule B: $75 for a 1st offence, $150 for a 2nd, and $75 more for each further offence within 12 months by the same owner. Impound fees: $30 a day, $15 for part of a day under 6 hours.","short":"Ticket $75 first offence, $150 second","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"Schedule B, ss. 1, 4","quotes":["1st offence                             $75.00","$150.00","Per day (6 hours or more)             $30.00","Per part day (less than 6 hours)      $15.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 935, 2011, Appendix 3 lists \"Dog at Large\" at $50 (increasing by $50) under the repealed Dog Control Bylaw No. 908, 2009."},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (leash rules); Parks & Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010 (parks)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as"]},{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Parks-Public-Places-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-926-2010.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","section":"title","quotes":["Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158](<https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf>), a dog in Chetwynd must be on a leash and under the immediate control of a competent person in a public place, other than a designated off-leash area. On private property it must be leashed unless the owner or occupier has given permission for it to be off leash. A dog must not be at large. A dangerous dog must be on a leash of 1 metre at most when off its owner's property.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The bylaw defines an off-leash area as one the District designates, but the District's site does not list any. Ask Bylaw Enforcement at 250-401-4119.\n- The [Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw](<https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Parks-Public-Places-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-926-2010.pdf>) says no person may permit a dog or other animal to be in a park or public place unless otherwise posted or with prior written approval for a special event. This appears to conflict with the leash rule, so check with the District before taking a dog into a park.\n- Pick up after your dog: remove its excrement immediately and put it in a suitable refuse container. The only exemption is for an assistance-animal owner who is blind or physically unable.\n- A dog at large can bring a municipal ticket: $75 for a first offence, $150 for a second, and $75 more for each further offence within 12 months. The older Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw still lists $50 under a repealed dog bylaw, so confirm the amount with the District.\n- Impound fees are $30 a day, or $15 for part of a day under 6 hours.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Parks-Public-Places-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-926-2010.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Places Regulation Bylaw No. 926, 2010 (PDF), District of Chetwynd","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/departments/protective-services/bylaw-enforcement/","title":"Bylaw Enforcement, District of Chetwynd","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-leash-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-leash-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-leash-rules.json"}}