---
title: Comox rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Comox?"
place: Comox, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/comox
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Comox
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Comox rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Comox, https://www.comox.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Town Bylaw Enforcement Officer (Comox Town Hall), 250-339-2202 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Online: Bylaw Complaint Form (Report an Issue), https://www.comox.ca/reporting
- Phone: SPCA (listed on the Town's Pets in Parks page for dog complaints), 250-339-7722
- Phone: Emergency or crime in progress, 9-1-1

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** 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.
  - Source: [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026), s. 2 (definitions)](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)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Community Charter s. 49, BC Laws, Community Charter s. 49(1)](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** 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.
  - Source: [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026), ss. 5.5 to 5.9](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Dangerous dog licence $100 a year, plus an annual animal control service fee of $50 for owners of dangerous dogs.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (consolidated to June 10, 2026), Schedule C](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous Dog licence fee $100" … "Annual animal control service fee payable by owners of Dangerous dogs $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** 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.
  - Source: [Pets in Parks, Pets in Parks page, FAQ](https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Report an Issue, Report an Issue page](https://www.comox.ca/reporting)
  - Official wording: "To report Town-related issues:" … "Bylaw Complaint Form"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (consolidated to June 10, 2026), Schedule A, A3](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unconfined vicious dog 5.6 250 300 N/A" … "Insufficient enclosure for" … "5.7 50 90 N/A" … "5.9 50 90 N/A"
  - Source: [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026), s. 7.3 (offence table)](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058)
  - Source: [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026), s. 1](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)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

## Owner rules

- 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.
- 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. 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.
- A dog that bites a person is held at the owner's expense for 14 days.

## Good to know

- 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)).
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)](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)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf)
- [Pets in Parks, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks)
- [Report an Issue, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/reporting)
- [Community Charter s. 49, BC Laws](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03)

## Related questions

- [Comox dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-licence.md)
- [Comox dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)](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) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Bylaw%202058%20Consolidated%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Community Charter s. 49, BC Laws](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Pets in Parks, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Report an Issue, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/reporting) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Comox. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs/_