---
title: Dawson Creek rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?"
place: Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/dawson-creek
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Dawson Creek
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Dawson Creek rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Dawson Creek, https://www.dawsoncreek.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Emergency (dog attacking or an immediate danger), 911
- Phone: Animal Services, 250-782-0370 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1, 7.4, 8.1, 19.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 7.1, 7.2, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 8.2](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "the owner shall pay the difference between the licence fee previously paid and the fee for an Aggressive dog."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Services, Animal Control](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/)
  - Official wording: "Their office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. For more information, contact Animal Services at 250-782-0370."
  - Source: [Animal Control Service Changes, Effective December 1, 2026](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-control-service-changes/)
  - Official wording: "Non-emergency animal bite response" … "Immediate danger / aggressive animal situations: Call 911 (RCMP or emergency services)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B, Schedule B, s. 7-8](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278, Schedule B, s. 7-8](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- High-risk dog: a 2 m leash in public, and indoors or in a locked, inspected rear-yard pen at home.
- 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.
- To report a dog, call Animal Services at 250-782-0370. In immediate danger, call 911.
- 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.
- Owners can ask Council to reconsider a designation.
- The City has announced changes to animal services and licensing from December 2026; check with the City.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)

## Related questions

- [Dawson Creek dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence.md)
- [Dawson Creek dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-leash-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Services, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Service Changes, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-control-service-changes/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Dawson Creek. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs/_