---
title: Chilliwack rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?"
place: Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/chilliwack
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/chilliwack/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Chilliwack rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**Short answer:** In Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) can declare a dog aggressive under its Animal Control Regulation Bylaw. Owners must then confine it, or keep it leashed and muzzled with a competent person, and microchip it. The aggressive dog licence is $295 (spayed or neutered) or $354.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Fraser Valley Regional District, https://www.fvrd.ca)  
**Cost:** Aggressive or dangerous dog licence: $295 spayed or neutered; $354 not. Microchip $60. Impound fee: $600 altered; $1,000 unaltered. Tickets for breaking the rules: $500 ($250 for an attack or harassing).  
**Where:**
- Phone: FVRD Animal Control, 1-844-495-2273 (Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For an attack in progress after hours, call your local police.)

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** Under FVRD Bylaw 1206 an 'aggressive dog' is one that, for example, has attacked, bitten or injured a person (with or without provocation) or shown a tendency to do so; has bitten, killed or injured a domestic animal in a public place or on property other than its owner's; has aggressively pursued or harassed a person, vehicle or domestic animal while at large; is trained or kept for dog fighting; is a 'dangerous dog'; or was found dangerous or aggressive by the Chief Animal Control Officer, another local government or a court. An animal control officer may report an incident to the Chief Animal Control Officer, who decides; if grounds exist, a letter is sent to the owner. The owner may appeal in writing within 30 days to the Chief Animal Control Officer. 'Dangerous dog' has the meaning in section 49 of the Community Charter.
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Definitions; s. 21-23](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“aggressive dog” means a dog that meets any one or more of the following conditions:" … "a dog that has, with or without provocation, attacked, bitten or caused injury to a" … "person or has demonstrated a propensity, tendency or disposition to do so;" … "a dog that has bitten, killed, or caused injury to a domestic animal while in a public" … "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 to the Chief Animal Control Officer."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Rules for owners:** FVRD bylaw s. 24: the owner of an aggressive dog must keep it securely confined in an enclosure, or have it on a leash no longer than 3 metres, under the immediate care and control of a competent person, and muzzled; allow the FVRD to implant a microchip (owner pays the fee in Schedule C) or scan an existing one; and give the FVRD a photo of the dog within 7 working days of designation. An enclosure is wire or steel mesh, at least 1.8 m high, with a secure top, a floor of concrete or sides buried at least 60 cm, and a self-closing lockable gate. An aggressive dog may not be kept with other dogs or animals where four or more dogs are kept. A dangerous dog may also be dealt with under Community Charter s. 49. The bylaw sets no minimum age for the handler beyond 'competent person' and sets no signage rule.
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), s. 24, 33](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;" … "under the immediate care and control of a competent person; and" … "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" … "is of at least 1.8m in height;" … "has a self-closing gate that can be locked;" … "aggressive dogs to be kept with other dogs or animals;" … "a dangerous dog may also be dealt with by the" … "Regional District in accordance with Section 49 of the Community Charter."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Licence fee:** FVRD annual licence fee: $295 for a spayed or neutered aggressive or dangerous dog, and $354 for one that is not. The lower altered-dog fee does not apply to aggressive dogs (s. 11).
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A; s. 11](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" … "The owner of a dog that is not an aggressive dog or a nuisance dog who provides a"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, Licence Fees](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control/dog-licences.html)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous Dog - spayed or neutered | $295" … "Dangerous Dog- NOT spayed or neutered | $354"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **How to report:** Call FVRD Animal Control at 1-844-495-CARE (1-844-495-2273), Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email the FVRD. To report a dog attack in progress after hours, call your local police department. The caller's identity is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, though the FVRD may be required to disclose it if the matter goes to court.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Fraser Valley Regional District, Complaints and Emergencies](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control.html)
  - Official wording: "To report an animal control issue or to lodge a bylaw complaint during regular business hours, please call 1-844-495-CARE or email us." … "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: [Animal Control, page](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2044)
  - Official wording: "Dog Licencing - Bylaw Regulations Animal Control 1-844-495-2273 Fraser Valley Regional District 45950 Cheam Avenue Chilliwack"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Fine:** FVRD bylaw notice Schedule A-3 (full amount; $10 less if paid within 14 days, $10 more if paid after 28 days): dog attacking or causing injury $250; dog aggressively pursuing or harassing $250; dog causing death $500; aggressive dog not securely confined $500; not on a leash $500; no competent person $500; no muzzle $500; no microchip $500; no photo $500; aggressive dog kept with other animals (where four or more dogs are kept) $500.
  - Source: [FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A-3 Animal Control (consolidated)](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "17(e) Dog Attacking or $250 $240 $260 Yes" … "17(f) Dog Aggressively $250 $240 $260 Yes" … "17(g) Dog Causing $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "24(a) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "24(b)(i) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "24(b)(iii) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "24(c) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "24(e) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "24(b)(ii) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes" … "33(b) Aggressive Dog $500 $490 $510 Yes"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Bylaw:** FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013, together with section 49 of the Community Charter for dangerous dogs.
  - Source: [FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), title](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as the “Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation" … "Bylaw No. 1206, 2013”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05

## How it works

The FVRD's [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206](<https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf>) calls a dog aggressive if, for example, it has attacked, bitten or injured a person (with or without provocation) or shown a tendency to; has bitten, killed or injured a domestic animal in a public place or on property other than its owner's; has aggressively pursued or harassed a person, vehicle or domestic animal while at large; or is trained or kept for dog fighting. A dog found dangerous or aggressive by another local government or a court also counts. "Dangerous dog" has the meaning in section 49 of the Community Charter.

An animal control officer can report an incident to the Chief Animal Control Officer, who decides. If there are grounds, the FVRD sends the owner a letter confirming the status and the rules.

## Good to know

- You can appeal the aggressive label in writing to the Chief Animal Control Officer within 30 days.
- The owner must keep the dog securely confined in an enclosure (wire or steel mesh, at least 1.8 metres high, secure top, locked self-closing gate), or have it on a leash up to 3 metres with a competent person, and muzzled.
- The owner must allow the FVRD to implant a microchip or scan an existing one, and send the FVRD a photo within 7 working days.
- Where four or more dogs are kept, an aggressive dog may not be kept with other dogs or animals.
- The lower spayed or neutered licence fee for ordinary dogs does not apply to aggressive dogs.
- An impounded aggressive dog is released only on proof of ownership, payment and a signed statement.
- Tickets: $250 for a dog attacking or injuring, or aggressively pursuing; $500 for a dog causing death, or for breaking the confinement, leash, muzzle, microchip, photo or keeping-with-other-dogs rules. Court fines go up to $10,000.
- To report an incident, call FVRD Animal Control. Your identity is protected, though the FVRD may have to disclose it in court. See the dog complaint answer.

## 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

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [FVRD 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) (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)
- [FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A-3 Animal Control (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control, City of Chilliwack](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2044) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control, Fraser Valley Regional District](https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/services/animal-control.html) (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/chilliwack/dangerous-dogs/_