{"title":"Comox rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Comox?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","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":"Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca"},"short_answer":"In Comox, aggressive and dangerous dogs are regulated by the Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322. In public they must be muzzled and on a leash of 2 m or less. A dangerous dog also needs an approved enclosure, warning signs and $1,000,000 liability insurance, and a $100 licence.","aliases":["dangerous dog Comox","aggressive dog Comox","dog bite Comox","vicious dog bylaw Comox"],"cost":"Dangerous dog licence $100 a year, plus an annual animal control service fee of $50 for owners of dangerous dogs. Impound: $300 first time, $500 later, $50 a day. No separate licence fee for an aggressive dog is listed.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Town Bylaw Enforcement Officer (Comox Town Hall)","value":"250-339-2202","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"online","label":"Bylaw Complaint Form (Report an Issue)","value":"https://www.comox.ca/reporting"},{"type":"phone","label":"SPCA (listed on the Town's Pets in Parks page for dog complaints)","value":"250-339-7722"},{"type":"phone","label":"Emergency or crime in progress","value":"9-1-1"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks"},{"title":"Report an Issue, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/reporting"},{"title":"Community Charter s. 49, BC Laws","url":"https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Comox dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Comox dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/how-many-pets/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/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' is one that has caused minor injuries, aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal, or shown growling, snarling or lunging (not if provoked). 'Dangerous Dog' follows Community Charter s. 49: killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 2 (definitions)","quotes":["caused minor injuries to a person or animal;","aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal; or","displayed aggressive behaviour including, but not limited to growling, snarling or","has the same meaning as in the Community Charter"]},{"url":"https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03","title":"Community Charter s. 49, BC Laws","section":"Community Charter s. 49(1)","quotes":["has killed or seriously injured a person,","an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"In public: muzzled, on a non-retractable leash up to 2 m, handler over 19; never on school grounds, near playgrounds or in parks. At home: securely confined. Dangerous dogs also need an approved enclosure, a 'Beware of Dog' sign at front and rear entrances, and $1,000,000 liability insurance.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"ss. 5.5 to 5.9","quotes":["the dog is muzzled, on a non-retractable leash not exceeding two metres in length","over 19 years of age","securely confined either indoors or in an enclosed pen or other structure","prominently display at the front and rear entrances to the property, a sign stating","minimum amount of $1,000,000"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"Dangerous dog licence $100 a year, plus an annual animal control service fee of $50 for owners of dangerous dogs.","short":"$100 a year, plus $50 service fee","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule C","quotes":["Dangerous Dog licence fee $100","Annual animal control service fee payable by owners of Dangerous dogs $50"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Use the Town's Bylaw Complaint Form (animal control is a listed issue), or call the Town Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-339-2202. The Town's Pets in Parks page also lists the SPCA at 250-339-7722 for dog complaints.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks","title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","section":"Pets in Parks page, FAQ","quotes":["Who do I call if I have a complaint about a dog?","SPCA phone: 250-339-7722","Town of Comox Bylaw Enforcement Officer phone: 250-339-2202"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/reporting","title":"Report an Issue, Town of Comox","section":"Report an Issue page","quotes":["To report Town-related issues:","Bylaw Complaint Form"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (within 14 days / after): unleashed, unmuzzled or unconfined dog $250 / $300; sign, insurance or enclosure breaches $50 / $90. Municipal ticket (Bylaw 1322 s. 7.3): $300 unleashed, unmuzzled or unconfined; $500 insufficient enclosure; $90 sign or insurance.","short":"Notice $250 ($300 after 14 days); ticket $300","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, A3","quotes":["Unconfined vicious dog 5.6 250 300 N/A","Insufficient enclosure for","5.7 50 90 N/A","5.9 50 90 N/A"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 7.3 (offence table)","quotes":["Unleashed or un-muzzled Aggressive or 5.5 $300.00","Insufficient enclosure for Dangerous Dog 5.7 $500.00","Sign not prominently displayed 5.8 $90.00","Inadequate proof of liability insurance 5.9 $90.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322."]}],"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\nThe [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf) defines two types. An aggressive dog has caused minor injuries, aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal, or shown growling, snarling or lunging, unless provoked. A dangerous dog follows [Community Charter s. 49](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03): it has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to. The bylaw does not say who declares a dog aggressive or dangerous, or how.\n\n## Owner rules\n\n- In public: muzzled, on a non-retractable leash of 2 m or less, with a handler over 19. Never on school grounds, near playgrounds or in parks.\n- At home: securely confined.\n- Dangerous dogs also need an approved enclosure, a \"Beware of Dog\" sign at front and rear entrances, and $1,000,000 liability insurance. The enclosure must be buried 60 cm or sit on a concrete pad, have a secure top and a self-closing locking gate, and be approved by the Animal Control Officer.\n- A dog that bites a person is held at the owner's expense for 14 days.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fees: dangerous dog licence $100 a year plus a $50 annual animal control service fee ([Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf)).\n- Fines, bylaw notice (within 14 days / after): unleashed, unmuzzled or unconfined dog $250 / $300; sign, insurance or enclosure breaches $50 / $90. Municipal ticket: $300 unleashed, unmuzzled or unconfined; $500 insufficient enclosure; $90 sign or insurance. The two lists differ for the enclosure offence, so check your ticket.\n- To report a dog, use the Town's Bylaw Complaint Form or call the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-339-2202. For a crime or immediate danger, call 9-1-1.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03","title":"Community Charter s. 49, BC Laws","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks","title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/reporting","title":"Report an Issue, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/comox/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs.json"}}