Gibsons rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Gibsons?
Short answer
In Gibsons, an Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog is dangerous or aggressive and gives the owner written notice. A dangerous dog must be muzzled and leashed in public and kept secured at home. Breaking these rules costs $200 to $450 in bylaw notices.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | An Animal Control Officer decides. A dog is 'dangerous' if, for example, records show it has killed or seriously injured a person or animal, it is bred or trained for fighting, or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to seriously injure a person (and it is over 6 months old). An 'aggressive' dog is one that, without provocation, has shown aggressive behaviour or caused a minor injury. The officer gives the owner written notice.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 1 definitions of Dangerous Dog and Aggressive Dog; s. 8.1.1, 9.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIs bred or trained specifically for fighting purposes; An Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to seriously injure a person and; Has without justifiable provocation displayed Aggressive Behavior towards the Animal Control Officer will issue a written notice to the owner of that dog advising of the determination |
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| Rules for owners | Dangerous dog: muzzled and on a non-retractable leash held by a capable person in any public place; kept indoors or in a locked enclosure at home; kept out of schools, daycares, parks, playgrounds and off-leash areas; warning signs at each entrance; tell the Town within one week of a move. Aggressive dog: non-retractable leash in public, no school grounds, daycares, within 30 m of playground equipment, or off-leash areas.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 9.2.1, 9.2.2, 9.2.3; Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless the Dangerous Dog is muzzled and secured by a collar or harness and a non-retractable leash firmly keep the dog securely confined either indoors or in an enclosure notify the Town within one (1) week of any change of address Every owner of a Dangerous Dog must post warning signs The owner of an Aggressive Dog must ensure that the within 30 metres of any playground apparatus. |
| Licence fee | None set. Gibsons has no separate licence fee for dangerous or aggressive dogs in its fee schedule. |
| How to report | Contact the Town's Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca, or submit the Bylaw Complaint Form.Bylaw enforcement, Report a Bylaw Infraction · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTo report any complaints or concerns (such as noise, parking, dogs at large or unsightly properties) 604-886-2274 beo@gibsons.ca |
| Fine | Bylaw notice amounts: dangerous dog in public without muzzle $400 ($375 early, $425 late); failing to secure a dangerous dog $400 ($375, $425); dangerous dog at a school, daycare, park or off-leash area $450 ($400, $500); failing to post warning sign $200 ($175, $225); aggressive dog breaking s. 8.2 rules $300 ($275, $325).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Schedule A, Bylaw 1328 s. 8.2, 9.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous dog in public 9.2.1 Fail to secure dangerous dog $400 $375 $425 Fail to post warning sign $200 $175 $225 Aggressive dog in public place |
| Bylaw | Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Town of Gibsons Animal Care and |
How it works
Under the Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, an Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog in Gibsons is "dangerous" or "aggressive" and gives the owner written notice.
- Dangerous: for example, records show it has killed or seriously injured a person or animal, it is bred or trained for fighting, or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe a dog over 6 months old is likely to seriously injure a person.
- Aggressive: without provocation, the dog has shown aggressive behaviour or caused a minor injury.
A dog declared dangerous or aggressive by another local government is also covered.
Owner rules
- Dangerous dog: muzzled and on a non-retractable leash held by a capable person in public; kept indoors or in a locked enclosure at home; kept out of schools, daycares, parks, playgrounds and off-leash areas; warning signs at each entrance; tell the Town within one week of a move.
- Aggressive dog: non-retractable leash in public; no school grounds, daycares, anywhere within 30 m of playground equipment, or off-leash areas.
Good to know
- An enclosure must be at least 6 feet high, 4 feet wide and 10 feet long, locked, with secure sides, top and bottom.
- An owner may make written representations to the Senior Bylaw Enforcement Officer within 14 days.
- Bylaw notices include: dangerous dog in public without a muzzle $400; failing to secure a dangerous dog $400; dangerous dog at a school, daycare, park or off-leash area $450; no warning sign $200; aggressive dog breaking the rules $300. Early-payment amounts are in the bylaw notice schedule.
- If your dog bites, stay at the scene until the injured person or animal gets care and give your identification.
- Report a dog to the Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca, or use the Bylaw Complaint Form on the Town website.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · West Vancouver · Lions Bay · Sechelt · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver
Sources
- Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Town of Gibsons (consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw enforcement, Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.