Mackenzie rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Mackenzie?
Short answer
In Mackenzie, a dangerous dog must be kept indoors or in a locked, secure enclosure and muzzled off the owner's premises. The District's bylaw sets a licence fee of $258 for a spayed or neutered dangerous dog. Complaints go in writing to Animal Control & Bylaw Services.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | A "Dangerous Dog" is one defined as dangerous in section 49 of the Community Charter, and includes a dog that has killed or seriously injured a person, has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal (in a public place or on private property), or that a Bylaw Officer or peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 2(k) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording“Dangerous Dog” means a dangerous dog as defined by section 49 or the Community has killed or seriously injured a person, a Bylaw Officer or Peace Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill |
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| Rules for owners | Keep the dog indoors or in a locked, secure enclosure (secure sides and top; if no secured bottom, sides buried at least one foot) that keeps children and others out. Off the owner's premises the dog must be muzzled. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer may require compliance. Owners of dangerous and repeat offender dogs also pay the Schedule A licence fee.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 4(a), (b), (d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo person shall Keep a Dangerous Dog unless it is confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked shelter unless the Dog is Muzzled to prevent it form biting another Animal or person. An Owner of a Repeat Offender Dog and/or Dangerous Dog shall be required to pay the Licence fee detailed in Schedule A |
| Licence fee | Dangerous dog licence: $258 on the District's web page; the bylaw Schedule A shows $258 (spayed or neutered) and $285 (not). Repeat offender dog licence: $122.Sources differ: The bylaw schedule and the web page differ for a dog that is not spayed or neutered ($285 vs $258); the $285 may be a typo, but the bylaw is the stated rule.Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, Schedule A; Animal Licences & Control, Annual Licence Fees for Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording9. Dangerous dog Licence $258.00 $285.00 Repeat Offender Dog Licence Dangerous Dog licence | $258.00 | $258.00 |
| How to report | Complaints to Animal Control & Bylaw Services must be in writing, with your name and phone number (no anonymous complaints) and as much detail as possible. Animal Control & Bylaw Services phone: 250-997-3882.Animal Licences & Control, Report a Concern; Animal Control & Bylaw Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingComplaints must be made in writing. You must include your name and phone number, complaints cannot be made anonymously. Animal Control & Bylaw Services 1 Mackenzie Blvd Mackenzie, BC 250-997-3882 |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $200 for failing to secure a dangerous dog (s. 4(a)), $200 for failing to muzzle (s. 4(b)), $200 for an owner of a repeat offender or dangerous dog not paying the licence fee (s. 4(d)).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, 2022, amended by Nos. 1488 and 1502, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording5. Fail to secure a dangerous dog. 4.(a) $200 6. Fail to muzzle a dangerous dog. 4.(b) $200 7. Failure of owner of repeat dog offender and or dangerous dog 4.(d) $200 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, Part IV (Dangerous Dogs and Repeat Offender Dogs).Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated, s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDangerous Dogs and Repeat Offender Dogs |
How it works
The District of Mackenzie's Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354 (Part IV) covers dangerous dogs and repeat offender dogs. A "Dangerous Dog" is one defined as dangerous in section 49 of the Community Charter. That includes a dog that has killed or seriously injured a person or a domestic animal, or that a Bylaw Officer or peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. A "Repeat Offender Dog" is one impounded 3 times, or whose owner has had 3 at-large tickets, or a total of 3 of the two, within 24 months.
Owner rules
- Keep the dog indoors or in a locked, secure enclosure that keeps children and others out. It needs secure sides and top; if there is no secured bottom, the sides must be buried at least one foot.
- Muzzle the dog when it is off the owner's premises.
- Pay the Schedule A licence fee for a dangerous or repeat offender dog.
Good to know
- Municipal tickets are $200 each for failing to secure a dangerous dog, failing to muzzle it, or not paying the licence fee.
- The District's web page lists $258 for a dangerous dog licence, while the bylaw schedule shows $285 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered. Confirm the amount with the District.
- To report a dog, send a written complaint with your name and phone number (no anonymous complaints) and as much detail as possible. Phone 250-997-3882.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Fort St James · Vanderhoof · Prince George · Fort St. John
Sources
- Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1354, 2016, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Licences & Control, District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control & Bylaw Services, District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, 2022, amended by Nos. 1488 and 1502 (PDF) (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.