Courtenay rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

Courtenay, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

How it works

The Animal Control Bylaw of the City of Courtenay does not set up a process for declaring a dog "dangerous". Instead it sets plain rules for owners, and Animal Control Officers enforce them. The bylaw sets no separate licence fee for a dangerous or aggressive dog.

Good to know

• No one may keep a dog that has killed or injured a person or domestic animal, or that unprovoked has attacked, chased or menacingly approached a person in a public place, or that is used for dog fighting.
• If you own a dog known to have a propensity to attack or viciously pursue a person or domestic animal, you must confine it in a building or secure enclosure. Whenever it is outside, keep it effectively muzzled, caged or under the effective control of an adult.
• A bylaw notice for failing to confine or muzzle a vicious dog is $500 each ($375 if paid within 14 days; $500 if paid late). No compliance agreement is available. Keeping a prohibited dog has no bylaw-notice amount; the bylaw sets a court fine of $50 to $2,000.
• To report a dog, contact Bylaw Enforcement by the complaint form, email or phone. The City does not respond to anonymous complaints.