{"title":"Dawson Creek rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/dawson-creek","name":"Dawson Creek","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 Dawson Creek","url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca"},"short_answer":"Dawson Creek's Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 has two tiers. A high-risk dog must be on a leash of 2 metres or less in public. An aggressive dog must also wear a muzzle, be microchipped and have a warning sign posted. 2026 licences cost $122.29 (high-risk) and $183.43 (aggressive), plus taxes.","aliases":["aggressive dog bylaw dawson creek","high risk dog dawson creek","dog bite dawson creek","dangerous dog sign"],"cost":"2026 plus taxes: high-risk dog licence $122.29; aggressive dog licence $183.43; aggressive dog warning sign $23.98. If a regular licence is already paid for the year, the owner pays the difference.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Emergency (dog attacking or an immediate danger)","value":"911"},{"type":"phone","label":"Animal Services","value":"250-782-0370","note":"Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 (PDF)","url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Dawson Creek dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Dawson Creek dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-leash-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/pouce-coupe","name":"Pouce Coupe","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-john","name":"Fort St. John","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/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":"Aggressive dog: has attacked, bitten or injured a person or animal (or shown a tendency to), is a dangerous dog under the Community Charter, or is owned for dog fighting. High-risk dog: has aggressively pursued or threatened a person or animal while at large, or shown a tendency to attack without provocation. The Poundkeeper or an Animal Control Officer identifies the dog and the City gives the owner written notice.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.1, 7.4, 8.1, 19.1","quotes":["has attacked, bitten, or caused injury to a person or animal on public or private property","is a dangerous dog as defined by the Community Charter;","aggressively pursued or threatened a person or animal, while running at large","demonstrated a propensity, whether within the City's boundaries or elsewhere, to attack or injure","will provide documentation to the City who may provide the owner with written notice that the dog has been designated an Aggressive dog.","A person may request that the Council reconsider"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Aggressive dog: in public or on any private land it must be on a leash up to 2 metres held by a competent person and wear a humane basket muzzle; at home it must be indoors, on an enclosed deck at least 3 m above ground, or in a locked, City-inspected rear-yard pen. Also: microchip or tattoo, warning sign at each entrance within 14 days, report if loose or biting. High-risk dog: 2 m leash in public, and indoors or in a locked, inspected rear-yard pen.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 7.1, 7.2, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7","quotes":["properly fitted with a humane basket muzzle that allows the dog to pant and drink.","on an enclosed deck that is no less than three (3) metres above ground level","has been inspected and approved by an Animal Control Officer.","microchip and or tattoo the dog and provide the City with the microchip or tattoo information;","post a warning sign measuring a minimum of 12\" tall and 8\" wide","must not permit the High-risk dog to be in a public place unless the dog is firmly held by a person competent to restrain the dog on a leash not exceeding 2 metres or 6.6 feet."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"Annual licence fee in 2026: aggressive dog $183.43; high-risk dog $122.29 (plus taxes). If a regular licence is already paid for the year, the owner pays the difference. Aggressive dog warning sign $23.98.","short":"Aggressive $183.43; high-risk $122.29 (plus taxes)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF)","section":"Schedule C","quotes":["Annual fee for a high-risk dog $119.89 $122.29 $124.73 $127.23","Annual fee for an aggressive dog $179.84 $183.43 $187.10 $190.84","Aggressive Dog Sign $23.51 $23.98 $24.46 $24.95"]},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 8.2","quotes":["the owner shall pay the difference between the licence fee previously paid and the fee for an Aggressive dog."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Contact Animal Services on 250-782-0370 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Owners of high-risk and aggressive dogs must also tell an Animal Control Officer or the Poundkeeper if the dog is loose or bites. In immediate danger call 911.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/","title":"Animal Services, City of Dawson Creek","section":"Animal Control","quotes":["Their office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. For more information, contact Animal Services at 250-782-0370."]},{"url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-control-service-changes/","title":"Animal Control Service Changes, City of Dawson Creek","section":"Effective December 1, 2026","quotes":["Non-emergency animal bite response","Immediate danger / aggressive animal situations: Call 911 (RCMP or emergency services)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: aggressive dog not licensed, at large, not securely confined, or not leashed and muzzled: $500 each (no early-payment discount); high-risk dog not restrained or not licensed: $250 to $300 ($200 to $250 within 14 days). Municipal ticket: aggressive dog not licensed or at large $1,000; not leashed and muzzled $750; not securely confined $300; high-risk dog $500.","short":"Notice $500; ticket $1,000 aggressive","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, s. 7-8","quotes":["8.2 Aggressive dog not licensed 500 500 500 No","8.4 Aggressive dog at large 500 500 500 No","8.5 Aggressive dog not securely confined 500 500 500 No","4420 8.6 500 500 500 No","7.5 High-risk dog not licensed 300 250 350 Yes","4420 7.1 250 200 300 No"]},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, s. 7-8","quotes":["4420 8.2 Aggressive dog not licensed 1000","4420 8.4 Aggressive dog at large 1000","4420 8.5 Aggressive dog not securely confined 300","4420 8.6 Aggressive dog not leashed, muzzled, or under control 750","4420 7.5 High-risk dog not licensed 500","4420 7.1 High-risk dog not restrained in a public place 500"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019"]}],"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\n[Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100>) sets two tiers. An aggressive dog has attacked, bitten or injured a person or animal (or shown a tendency to), is a dangerous dog under the Community Charter, or is owned for dog fighting. A high-risk dog has aggressively pursued or threatened a person or animal while at large, or shown a tendency to attack without provocation. The Poundkeeper or an Animal Control Officer identifies the dog and the City gives the owner written notice.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Aggressive dog: in public or on any private land it must be on a leash up to 2 metres held by a competent person and wear a humane basket muzzle. At home it must be indoors, on an enclosed deck at least 3 m above ground, or in a locked, City-inspected rear-yard pen. It must also be microchipped or tattooed, with a warning sign at each entrance within 14 days.\n- High-risk dog: a 2 m leash in public, and indoors or in a locked, inspected rear-yard pen at home.\n- Both types must be licensed within 14 days of the notice. Owners must tell an Animal Control Officer or the Poundkeeper if the dog is loose or bites.\n- To report a dog, call Animal Services at 250-782-0370. In immediate danger, call 911.\n- Bylaw notice fines: $500 each for an aggressive dog that is unlicensed, at large, not securely confined, or not leashed and muzzled; $250 to $300 for a high-risk dog not restrained or not licensed ($200 to $250 within 14 days). Municipal tickets: aggressive dog unlicensed or at large $1,000; not leashed and muzzled $750; not securely confined $300; high-risk dog $500.\n- Owners can ask Council to reconsider a designation.\n- The City has announced changes to animal services and licensing from December 2026; check with the City.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/","title":"Animal Services, City of Dawson Creek","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-control-service-changes/","title":"Animal Control Service Changes, City of Dawson Creek","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)","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/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs.json"}}