Dawson Creek rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
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.
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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1, 7.4, 8.1, 19.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinghas 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 |
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| 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 7.1, 7.2, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingproperly 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. |
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnnual 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 the owner shall pay the difference between the licence fee previously paid and the fee for an Aggressive dog. |
| 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.Animal Services, Animal Control; Animal Control Service Changes, Effective December 1, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTheir office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. For more information, contact Animal Services at 250-782-0370. Non-emergency animal bite response Immediate danger / aggressive animal situations: Call 911 (RCMP or emergency services) |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B, Schedule B, s. 7-8; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278, Schedule B, s. 7-8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording8.2 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 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 |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019 |
How it works
Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 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
The same question in other places
Pouce Coupe · Fort St. John · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Mackenzie · Prince George
Sources
- Animal Services, City of Dawson Creek (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Service Changes, City of Dawson Creek (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.