{"title":"Kitimat rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Kitimat?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In Kitimat an Animal Control Officer can designate a dog dangerous if it bites without provocation or has a known tendency to attack. The owner must muzzle and leash it (2 m or less) off the property, keep it securely confined at home, post a sign, and pay a $300 licence fee.","aliases":["dangerous dog kitimat","aggressive dog kitimat","dog bite kitimat","report a dog attack kitimat"],"cost":"Dangerous dog licence: $300. Failure to muzzle, leash or control a dangerous dog: a bylaw notice is $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $3,000 ($2,500 if paid within 30 days).","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall (bylaw complaints)","value":"270 City Centre, Kitimat, BC V8C 2H7","note":"Office hours are not stated in the documents we read."},{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall (bylaw complaints)","value":"250-632-8900"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)","url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf"},{"title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Kitimat dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Kitimat dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Kitimat","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Kitimat bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-rupert","name":"Prince Rupert","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/houston","name":"Houston","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/dangerous-dogs/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs/"},"facts":{"how_declared":{"label":"How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive","value":"An Animal Control Officer may designate a dog as a Dangerous Dog if it bites a human or animal without provocation, has a known tendency to attack a human or animal without provocation, or was previously designated and endangers a person or animal. The officer must tell the owner in writing.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.5.6.1-2","quotes":["An Animal Control Officer may designate a Dog as a","Dangerous Dog if the Dog","Bites a human or Animal without provocation","must inform the Owner of Record of the designation in"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Off the property the dog must be on a leash or tether of no more than 2 m, fitted with a humane basket muzzle, and under the immediate control of a competent person. At home it must be securely confined in a building or enclosure, with a 'Dangerous Dog' sign on the fence or home. The owner must also report moves, sale, death or escape to the Animal Control Officer or Poundkeeper within set times.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.5.6.3-5","quotes":["not exceeding two (2)","humane basket muzzle","securely confined within a building or","enclosure capable of","Dangerous Dog’ or ‘Dangerous Animal’ sign","Within two (2) working days of moving to a new residence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"$300 licence fee for a dangerous dog.","short":"$300","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Subdivision 6 - Dangerous Dogs/Dangerous Animals 5.5.6. 1. An Animal Control Officer may designate a Dog as a Dangerous Dog if the Dog:","4 Replacement of Lost Tag $2.00 5 Dangerous Dog $300.00 IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS NOT LABELED AS DANGEROUS"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Make a written complaint on the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form (phone 250-632-8900). The District starts an investigation on written complaints and relies on them to learn of violations.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)","section":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, header and Procedures 1-2","quotes":["Ph. 250-632-8900 Fax: 250-632-4995","Bylaw enforcement investigation will be commenced on submission of written complaints."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Failure to muzzle, leash or control a dangerous dog: bylaw notice $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days); municipal ticket $3,000 ($2,500 if paid within 30 days). Dangerous-dog impound fees are in the Animal Control schedule.","short":"Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days); ticket $3,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF)","section":"Part 5 table","quotes":["Dangerous Dogs/Animals at large","$300"]},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedules A and B, row 81","quotes":["81 Failure to Muzzle, Leash, or Control Dangerous Dog 5.5.6.3 $ 500.00 $ 450.00","81 Failure to Muzzle, Leash, or Control Dangerous Dog 5.5.6.3 $3,000.00 $2,500.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 5, Division 5 - Animal Control (Bylaw No. 2031, 2023), Subdivision 6","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"Subdivision 6","quotes":["Subdivision 6 - Dangerous Dogs/Dangerous Animals"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder Part 5, Division 5 of the [Kitimat Municipal Code](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf), an Animal Control Officer may designate a dog as a Dangerous Dog if it bites a human or animal without provocation, has a known tendency to attack a human or animal without provocation, or was previously designated and endangers a person or animal. The officer must tell the owner in writing.\n\nOnce designated, off the property the dog must be on a leash or tether of no more than 2 metres, wear a humane basket muzzle, and be under the immediate control of a competent person. At home it must be securely confined in a building or enclosure, with a \"Dangerous Dog\" sign on the fence or home. The owner must also report a move, sale, death or escape to the Animal Control Officer or Poundkeeper within set times. Breaking the conditions is grounds for impounding the dog.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. To report a bite or aggressive dog, fill out the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form or call 250-632-8900. Written complaints start an investigation.\n2. If your dog is designated, license it ($300), muzzle it, and post the sign.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Dangerous dog licence fee: $300. Impound fees for dangerous dogs are higher and are in the Animal Control fee schedule.\n- Failure to muzzle, leash or control a dangerous dog: a bylaw notice is $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $3,000 ($2,500 if paid within 30 days).","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dangerous-dogs.json"}}