Dawson Creek dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Dawson Creek a dog must be on a leash held by a person in control in any public place, and every animal must be leashed at all times in a City park. The only off-leash dog park named is Barbaree Park, at 105th Ave and 15th Street. A leash is up to 3 metres, or a retractable lead up to 8 metres.
Key facts
| Leash rule | Off your own property a dog must be on a leash held by a person in control on any highway or public place, or on someone else's land without their consent, unless it is in a Council-designated off-leash area. In any City park every animal must be on a leash at all times. On your own property it must be securely confined indoors or in a fenced area.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1 "At large", 5.1, 5.3; Parks Bylaw No. 4371, 2018, s. 4.14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingnot on a leash which is under the control of a person responsible. contained within an area that is designated by Council resolution as an off leash area. keep the animal securely confined on the property by keeping the animal indoors, or within a fenced area sufficient to prevent the animal from leaving the property. Any animal in any Park must be controlled and on a leash at all times. |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | A leash is defined as no more than 3 metres long, or a retractable lead not exceeding 8 metres fully extended (a retractable lead cannot be used for a dog declared dangerous). High-risk and aggressive dogs: a leash not exceeding 2 metres (6.6 feet).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1 "Leash", 7.1, 8.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingno more than three (3) meters in length or a retractable lead not exceeding eight (8) metres in length when fully extended on a leash not exceeding 2 metres or 6.6 feet. |
| Off-leash areas | Barbaree Park, at 105th Ave and 15th Street, is currently designated as the off-leash dog park. Off-leash areas are those designated by Council resolution.Animal Services, Dog parks; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1 "At large" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBarbaree Park at 105th Ave and 15th Street, which is currently designated as an off-leash Dog Park. contained within an area that is designated by Council resolution as an off leash area. |
| Places dogs are not allowed | None set. Neither Dawson Creek bylaw bans dogs from specific places.Read: Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019; Parks Bylaw No. 4371, 2018 |
| Cleaning up | Dog owners must immediately remove and dispose of any dog waste left on any public place, park or private property, in a waste container or by other sanitary means.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 5.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmust immediately remove and dispose of, in a waste container or by other sanitary means, any fecal matter deposited by the animal on any public place, park or private property. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Animal at large: bylaw notice $150 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $175 if paid late); municipal ticket $500. Animal not on a leash in a park: bylaw notice $150 ($100 within 14 days; $200 late); municipal ticket $750.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B, Schedule B, s. 5.1 and Parks s. 4.14; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278, Schedule B and L · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording4420 5.1 Animals at large 150 125 175 No 4371 4.14 Animal not on a leash 150 100 200 No 4420 5.1 Animals at large 500 4371 4.14 Animal not on a leash 750 |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019; for parks, Parks Bylaw No. 4371, 2018Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1; Parks Bylaw No. 4371, 2018, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019 PARKS BYLAW NO. 4371, 2018 |
How it works
Under Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420, a dog in Dawson Creek must be on a leash held by a person in control on any highway or public place, or on someone else's land without their consent, unless it is in an off-leash area designated by Council. Parks Bylaw 4371 says every animal in a City park must be on a leash at all times. On your own property a dog must be securely confined indoors or in a fenced area. The City's Animal Services page names Barbaree Park (105th Ave and 15th Street) as the designated off-leash dog park.
Good to know
- A leash is no more than 3 metres long, or a retractable lead not over 8 metres fully extended. A retractable lead cannot be used for a dog declared dangerous. High-risk and aggressive dogs need a leash of 2 metres or less.
- Owners must immediately remove and dispose of dog waste left on any public place, park or private property. Neither bylaw bans dogs from specific places.
- Fines: animal at large is a bylaw notice of $150 ($125 within 14 days; $175 late) or a municipal ticket of $500. An animal not on a leash in a park is a bylaw notice of $150 ($100 within 14 days; $200 late) or a municipal ticket of $750.
- To report a loose dog, call Animal Services at 250-782-0370. Call 911 for immediate danger.
- 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 Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Parks Bylaw No. 4371, 2018 (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 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.