{"title":"Coquitlam rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","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":"City of Coquitlam","url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca"},"short_answer":"In Coquitlam, the City's Animal Control Manager can designate a dog \"aggressive\" or \"vicious\" under the Animal Care and Control Bylaw 4240. The owner must keep an aggressive dog leashed and never at large; a vicious dog must also be muzzled in public and locked up at home with warning signs.","aliases":["vicious dog coquitlam","dog bite rules coquitlam","aggressive dog designation","dangerous dog bylaw coquitlam"],"cost":"Annual licence on or before February 1: aggressive $157.40 ($105 spayed or neutered); vicious $262.40 ($209.90 spayed or neutered). Bylaw notices $100 to $500; municipal ticket $1,000.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Services","value":"604-927-3580"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Services (alternate)","value":"604-927-7387"},{"type":"phone","label":"Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency (vicious-dog emergency)","value":"604-945-1550"},{"type":"phone","label":"Engineering Customer Service, 24 hours","value":"604-927-3500"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw 4240 (PDF)","url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110"},{"title":"Complaint Process","url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/528/Complaint-Process"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Coquitlam dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Coquitlam dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dog-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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":"The Animal Control Manager decides, after a Bylaw Enforcement Officer's written report, whether to designate a dog \"aggressive\" or \"vicious\" and sends the owner written notice. Aggressive: without provocation showed aggressive behaviour to a person or animal in a public place, or caused a minor injury. Vicious: caused minor injuries on more than one occasion, or the manager has reasonable grounds from repeated aggressive behaviour, or it is a Dangerous Dog under the Community Charter.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 11.1-11.3","quotes":["the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may submit a written report to the Animal Control Manager","designate the dog as an aggressive dog;","designate the dog as a vicious dog.","shall deliver written notice of the designation to the owner of"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 3.1","quotes":["AGGRESSIVE DOG means a dog that:","has, without provocation, caused a minor injury to a person or domestic animal;","has, without provocation, caused a minor injury to a person on more than one","is a Dangerous Dog;","DANGEROUS DOG has the same meaning as defined in the Community Charter;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Aggressive dog: never at large; in public on a leash no longer than 1.2 m (not retractable); no off-leash areas; permanent ID (tattoo or microchip) within one month. Vicious dog: all of those plus a muzzle in public; if left unattended, locked in an enclosure inside locked, fenced premises; warning signs at every entrance; tell the City within 3 days if the dog moves or dies, and tell any new owner of the designation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 11.4","quotes":["not cause, permit, or allow that dog, at any time, to be at large within the City,","with a maximum length of 1.2 metres from owner to dog;","ensure the dog has permanent identification within one month of the dog being"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 11.7, 11.8","quotes":["when in a public place, muzzle the dog in a manner to prevent it from being able to","secure the dog in an enclosure located within securely fenced premises","post a clearly visible sign at all points of entry onto any premises where the dog is","notify the Animal Control Manager in writing within three (3) days if the dog","notify the prospective owner that the dog has been designated as a vicious dog prior to the transfer of"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 3.1 (ENCLOSURE)","quotes":["at least two (2) metres in height, width and length;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"Annual licence (rate if paid on or before February 1): aggressive dog $157.40 not spayed or neutered, $105 spayed or neutered. Vicious dog $262.40 not spayed or neutered, $209.90 spayed or neutered. The $18 late charge applies after February 1.","short":"Vicious $209.90 to $262.40; aggressive $105 to $157.40","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule I (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"Schedule I, Annual Licensing Fees for Dogs","quotes":["(d) aggressive unspayed or unneutered dogs $ 157.40","(e) aggressive spayed or neutered dogs $ 105.00","(f) vicious unspayed or unneutered dogs $ 262.40","(g) vicious spayed or neutered dogs $ 209.90","an $18.00 late payment charge will be assessed in addition"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 7.9, 8.2","quotes":["only obtain a dog licence for an aggressive dog or a vicious dog if the dog has","will become invalid and the owner of that dog must apply to the City for a new dog licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Call Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Services at 604-927-7387 or 604-927-3580, or email them; give your name, address and phone number (no anonymous complaints), the location, and for a bite the other dog's owner's details. After a bite report the City sends a Dog Bite Statement Form. After hours, leave a message; for a vicious-dog emergency call the RCMP non-emergency line 604-945-1550 or 24-hour Engineering Customer Service 604-927-3500.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/528/Complaint-Process","title":"Complaint Process, City of Coquitlam","section":"Complaint Process; Reporting Hours","quotes":["Phone: 604-927-7387","Your name, address and phone number as we do not accept anonymous complaints","In the event of a dog bite, the contact information for the other dog and/or owner","Dog Bite Statement Form","please call the non-emergency RCMP number at 604-945-1550 or the 24-Hour Engineering Customer Service number at 604-927-3500"]},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/1059/Animal-Care-and-Control","title":"Animal Care and Control, City of Coquitlam","section":"How to Report","quotes":["To report an Animal Care & Control Bylaw concern, call 604-927-3580 or email Bylaw Services."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (within 14 days / full): aggressive dog at large $200 / $300; aggressive dog improperly leashed, in an off-leash area or without ID $150 / $200; vicious dog at large $400 / $500; vicious dog not leashed, not muzzled, improperly unattended, in an off-leash area or without ID $300 / $400; no vicious-dog warning sign $150 / $200; failing to remain at a dog bite $100 / $150. Municipal ticket: $1,000 for each.","short":"Notice $200 to $400 ($300 to $500 full); ticket $1,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"Schedule A, Animal Care and Control Bylaw","quotes":["Aggressive dog at large 11.4.1 200 300","Aggressive dog not 11.4.2 150 200","Aggressive dog in off leash 11.4.3 150 200","Aggressive dog without ID 11.4.4 150 200","Vicious dog at large 11.7.1 400 500","Vicious dog not 11.7.2 300 400","Vicious dog not muzzled 11.7.3 300 400","Vicious dog improperly un- 11.7.4 300 400","Vicious dog warning sign not 11.7.5 150 200","Vicious dog in off leash area 11.7.6 300 400","Vicious dog without 11.7.7 300 400","Fail to remain at dog bite 10.9 100 150"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, 2012 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"Schedule B-1","quotes":["Aggressive dog at large 11.4.1 1000","Vicious dog at large 11.7.1 1000","Vicious dog not muzzled 11.7.3 1000"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"Recital C","quotes":["authority to regulate and control dangerous dogs"]}],"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\nA Bylaw Enforcement Officer may send a written report to the Animal Control Manager, who decides whether to designate the dog \"aggressive\" or \"vicious\" under the [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 4240](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110) and gives the owner written notice. An aggressive dog has, without provocation, shown aggressive behaviour to a person or animal in a public place, or caused a minor injury. A vicious dog has caused minor injuries more than once, or the manager has reasonable grounds from repeated aggressive behaviour, or it is a Dangerous Dog under the Community Charter.\n\n## Rules for owners\n\n- Aggressive dog: never at large; in public on a non-retractable leash no longer than 1.2 m; no off-leash areas; permanent ID (tattoo or microchip) within one month.\n- Vicious dog: all of those, plus a muzzle in public; when unattended, locked in an enclosure inside locked, fenced premises; warning signs at every entrance; tell the City within 3 days if the dog moves or dies, and tell any new owner of the designation.\n- A dog needs permanent ID before it can be licensed as aggressive or vicious.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- An aggressive designation can be removed after one year with no further incidents or complaints, a completed training course and permanent ID. It cannot be removed if the dog was designated more than once.\n- For a vicious designation, you may make written representations within 14 days of notice.\n- Bylaw notices (within 14 days / full): aggressive dog at large $200 / $300; vicious dog at large $400 / $500; failing to remain at a dog bite $100 / $150. Other breaches are $150 to $400. A municipal ticket is $1,000 for each.\n- To report a dog, call 604-927-3580 or 604-927-7387 with your name, address and phone number; anonymous complaints are not accepted. After a bite the City sends a Dog Bite Statement Form.\n- Vicious-dog emergency after hours: RCMP non-emergency 604-945-1550 or 24-hour Engineering Customer Service 604-927-3500.","sources":[{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4572110","title":"Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule I (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, 2012 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/528/Complaint-Process","title":"Complaint Process, City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/1059/Animal-Care-and-Control","title":"Animal Care and Control, City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/coquitlam/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dangerous-dogs.json"}}