Houston rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In Houston, the District's Bylaw Enforcement Officer can deem a dog aggressive or dangerous. Owners must then sterilize and microchip the dog, enclose or muzzle it, keep it on a short leash, and pay an annual licence of $150 (aggressive) or $250 (dangerous).
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | The District (the Bylaw Enforcement Officer) deems a dog aggressive if it has aggressively pursued, attacked or injured an animal, or aggressively pursued a person. A dog is dangerous if it seriously injures or kills an animal, attacks or injures a person, or (if already aggressive) pursues, attacks or causes a minor injury to an animal.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 6, ss. 36, 37, 38 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA dog will be deemed to be an aggressive dog by the District if such dog has aggressively pursued, attacked, or injured an animal, or aggressively pursued a person. seriously injures or kills an animal; attacks or injures a person. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer must provide written notice to the owner |
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| Rules for owners | Owner must sterilize and microchip an aggressive dog and keep it inside a building or locked enclosure at least 1.8 m high unless it is muzzled. Outside, it must be muzzled and on a leash of no more than one metre held by someone 18 or older. A dangerous dog has the same rules, plus a "WARNING DANGEROUS DOG ON PREMISES" sign at each entrance and $2,000,000 liability insurance.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 7, ss. 46 to 52 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingsterilize the aggressive dog; a securely locked enclosure at least 1.8 metres in height which: no more than one metre in length; contains the words "WARNING DANGEROUS DOG ON PREMISES"; caused by the dangerous dog in an amount not less than two million ($2,000,000) per |
| Licence fee | Annual licence: aggressive dog $150; dangerous dog $250 (2026 rates). The owner must pay within 14 days of the notice of designation.Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences; Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 6, s. 40 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingb) Aggressive Dog annually 150.00 155.00 160.00 165.00 170.00 c) Dangerous Dog annually 250.00 258.00 266.00 274.00 263.00 pay the applicable licence fee specified by the Fees & Charges Bylaw. |
| How to report | Submit an Animal Control Request or bylaw complaint through the District's Service Request Portal, or call the Municipal Office at 250-845-2238 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).Animal Control, About; Service Requests, About; Contact Us · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSubmit an Animal Control Request The District of Houston offers an online Service Request Portal for submitting service requests, inquiries, and bylaw complaints. Your name, address, and contact information as the official complainant, Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday 250-845-2238 |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $150 for most aggressive- and dangerous-dog offences ($112.50 early, $187.50 late); $200 ($150 early, $250 late) for failing to enclose, muzzle or leash one, to report one at large, or injury of a person or animal. Municipal ticket schedule: $100 to $500 (for example $500 for not licensing one).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018; Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1129, 2019, Schedule B10, s. 45 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAggressive Dog at Large $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 or Aggressive Dog $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Aggressive or Dangerous Dog $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 lnjury of Person or Animal 5O(4 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Failure to License Aggressive or Dangerous Dog 45 $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Parts 6 and 7 (as amended by Bylaw No. 1165, 2022).Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Parts 6 and 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPART 6 - IDENTIFICATION OF AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DOGS PART 7 CONTROL OF AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DOGS |
How it works
Under Parts 6 and 7 of the Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer deems a dog aggressive if it has aggressively pursued, attacked or injured an animal, or aggressively pursued a person. A dog is dangerous if it seriously injures or kills an animal, attacks or injures a person, or (if already aggressive) pursues, attacks or causes a minor injury to an animal. The owner gets written notice with reasons. Within ten business days the owner can ask the Corporate Officer to reconsider. The Chief Administrative Officer may confirm, reverse or amend the designation.
Owner rules
- Sterilize and microchip an aggressive dog (microchip within five business days of designation).
- Keep it inside a building or a locked enclosure at least 1.8 m high unless it is muzzled.
- Outside, it must be muzzled and on a leash of no more than one metre, held by someone 18 or older.
- A dangerous dog has the same rules, plus a "WARNING DANGEROUS DOG ON PREMISES" sign at each entrance and $2,000,000 liability insurance, arranged within 14 days of designation.
Good to know
- To report a dog, use the Service Request Portal at houston.ca/community/service-requests/ or call 250-845-2238 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The District's pages do not say how to report a bite or give an after-hours number.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $150 for most offences ($112.50 early, $187.50 late), or $200 ($150 early, $250 late) for failing to enclose, muzzle or leash one, failing to report one at large, or injury of a person or animal. The municipal ticket schedule lists $100 to $500.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Telkwa · Smithers · Granisle · New Hazelton · Terrace · Kitimat
Sources
- Animal Control, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Service Requests, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1129, 2019 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
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.