Fernie rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Fernie?
Short answer
The City of Fernie's Animal Responsibility Bylaw has three tiers: aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs. An Animal Control Officer designates the dog by written notice, and the owner must then follow strict leash, muzzle, confinement and licensing rules.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | An Animal Control Officer decides and gives the owner written notice. Aggressive: showed aggressive behaviour or caused a minor injury without provocation. Vicious: serious injury, a known tendency to attack, or repeated minor injuries. Dangerous: as defined in s. 49 of the Community Charter.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 1.2; s. 5.4, 5.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinghas without justifiable provocation, displayed aggressive Dangerous Dog has the same meaning as defined in section 49 Has, without justifiable provocation, caused a An Animal Control Officer may, by written notice, designate a Dog as an |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | Aggressive: leash 1 m or less off property, never at large, muzzled in off-leash areas, never left unattended off property; permanent ID and Aggressive licence within 30 days. Vicious and Dangerous: also muzzled off property, no off-leash areas, warning signs, secure enclosure at home. Dangerous: owner over 19, spayed or neutered, $1,000,000 liability insurance.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, s. 7.2, 8.4, 9.5, 9.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingsecure the Dog by a collar and Leash that is a maximum length of (1) metre keep the Dog effectively Muzzled post a clearly visible sign at all points of entry Enclosure with a roof and locked who is over nineteen (19) years of age not less than one million ($1,000,000) dollars iii. obtain a City of Fernie Aggressive Dog license for the Dog; (c) ensure the Dog is not in a designated Off-Leash area in the City at any |
| Licence fee | Aggressive Dog $150, Vicious Dog $227, Dangerous Dog $567 (licence fees in Schedule A).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOne unneutered male or open female dog; $35.00 Replacement tag. $1.00 Aggressive Dog $150.00 Vicious Dog $227.00 Dangerous Dog $567.00 Impoundment first impoundment: $50.00 Replacement tag. $1.00 Aggressive Dog $150.00 Vicious Dog $227.00 Dangerous Dog $567.00 Impoundment first impoundment: $50.00 second impoundment: $75.00 |
| How to report | Contact Bylaw Services: (250) 423-2244 or bylawservices@fernie.ca. Give your full name and phone number, the date and time, and details; anonymous complaints are not investigated.Bylaw Services, How to Report a Bylaw Violation; Bylaw Concerns · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBy email at bylawservices@fernie.ca or By phone at (250) 423-2244 Anonymous complaints will not be investigated. |
| Fine | Municipal tickets: aggressive dog rule breaches $200 to $250; vicious dog $200 to $400; dangerous dog $500 to $1,000. A dog showing aggressive behaviour $300, causing a minor injury $400, a serious injury $1,000.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041, Appendix 7 of Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041, Parts 5 to 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdisplay aggressive behaviour towards person or domestic Dog causes minor injury 5.2 (b) $400.00 Dog causes serious injury 5.2 (c) $1,000.00 Aggressive dog improperly leashed 7.2 (a) $250.00 Vicious dog improperly leashed 8.4 (a) $400.00 Dangerous dog improperly leashed 9.7 (a) $1,000.00 Dangerous Dog warning sign not posted 9.7 (e) $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, Parts 7 to 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 2436, 2021 |
How it works
Under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021, a City of Fernie Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog is aggressive, vicious or dangerous and gives the owner written notice.
- Aggressive: showed aggressive behaviour or caused a minor injury without provocation.
- Vicious: caused a serious injury, has a known tendency to attack, or caused repeated minor injuries.
- Dangerous: as defined in section 49 of the Community Charter.
Owner rules
- Aggressive dog: a leash of 1 metre or less off the owner's property, never at large, muzzled in off-leash areas, and never left unattended off the property. The owner must get permanent identification and an Aggressive Dog licence within 30 days.
- Vicious and dangerous dogs: the same rules, plus a muzzle whenever off the property, no off-leash areas at all, warning signs, and a secure enclosure at home. The enclosure must be at least 2 m high and 2 m wide, with a top and bottom, and lockable.
- Dangerous dog only: the owner must be over 19, the dog must be spayed or neutered, and the owner must carry $1,000,000 liability insurance.
Good to know
- An owner may ask the Director responsible for Bylaw Services to reconsider a vicious or dangerous designation within 14 days, with written reasons and a dog behaviour specialist's assessment from the last 6 months. An aggressive designation can be reviewed after one year.
- Licence fees are $150 (aggressive), $227 (vicious) and $567 (dangerous).
- Municipal tickets: $200 to $250 for breaking aggressive dog rules, $200 to $400 for vicious dog rules and $500 to $1,000 for dangerous dog rules. A dog showing aggressive behaviour is $300, causing a minor injury $400 and a serious injury $1,000. The amount depends on the section broken.
- To report a dog, contact Bylaw Services at 250-423-2244 or bylawservices@fernie.ca with your full name and phone number, the date and time, and details. Anonymous complaints are not investigated.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston
Sources
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2436, 2021 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Responsibility, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Services, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Concerns, City of Fernie (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.