---
title: Nanaimo rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Nanaimo
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Nanaimo rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

**Question:** What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

**Short answer:** In the City of Nanaimo, the Poundkeeper can declare a dog aggressive if it has bitten, injured or aggressively chased a person or animal. The owner must then get a special licence within 14 days, muzzle and leash the dog in public, and carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nanaimo, https://www.nanaimo.ca)  
**Cost:** Aggressive dog licence $75 if paid by February 28, $90 after. Tickets run from $200 to $500.  
**How long:** Apply within 14 days of the notice. Insurance proof and a photo are due each year by January 30.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Nanaimo Animal Control Services, 250-616-0233
- Phone: Dog Licensing, 250-755-4525
- Email: Dog Licensing, dog.lic@nanaimo.ca

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** A dog is an "Aggressive Dog" if it has attacked, bitten or injured a person or shown a tendency to; bitten, killed or injured a companion animal, poultry or livestock; aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal; has a known propensity to attack without provocation; is kept or trained for fighting; or is a Dangerous Dog under Community Charter s. 49. The Poundkeeper decides and serves a written notice on the owner.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 2 (Aggressive Dog), s. 74](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "has attacked, bitten or caused injury to a Person or has" … "demonstrated a propensity, tendency or disposition to do so;" … "is a Dangerous Dog as defined by Section 49 of the Community" … "Where the Poundkeeper determines that a Dog meets the definition of an Aggressive Dog, the Poundkeeper will issue a written notice to the Owner"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** Apply for an Aggressive Dog licence within 14 days of the notice (owner over 19; vet proof of sterilization, permanent ID). Outside the property: leash of 6 feet or less and muzzle. Post warning signs at every entrance. On the property: indoors, or behind a fence at least 6 feet high, or in a locked rear-yard enclosure approved by the Poundkeeper. Not on school grounds, within 30 m of a playground, in off-leash areas or in a park. Each year by January 30: $1,000,000 liability insurance naming the City, and a photo.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 26-29, 78, 80](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An Owner must apply for an Aggressive Dog licence within 14 days of receiving a notice under Section 74." … "secure the Dog by a collar or harness and a Leash that is a maximum length of 1.83 metres" … "keep the Dog Muzzled when not on the Owner’s property;" … "behind a secure fence at least 6 feet in height" … "within 30m of any playground apparatus;" … "who is over 19 years of age" … "prominently display at each entrance to the property and building in, or upon which the Dog" … "by no later than January 30th:" … "in the minimum amount of $1,000,000, for any injuries which may be caused by"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** $75 a year if paid by February 28; $90 if paid after February 28 ("Dog Deemed Aggressive").
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog Deemed Aggressive $75.00 $90.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Call Nanaimo Animal Control at 250-616-0233.
  - Source: [Dangerous or Aggressive Dogs, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dangerous-or-aggressive-dogs)
  - Official wording: "Contact Nanaimo Animal Control: 250-616-0233"
  - Source: [Animals in the City, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/green-initiatives/urban-forestry/animals-trees-gardens/animals-in-the-city)
  - Official wording: "To report an incident occurring in the City of Nanaimo please call 250-616-0233."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $500 ($375 early, $500 late) for failing to secure, muzzle or confine an aggressive dog, keeping one unlawfully, or having it on school grounds/in a park/off-leash area; $250 for failing to get the licence within 14 days or to give the January 30 documents; $200 for no warning signs.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility Bylaw](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7159.pdf)
  - Official wording: "26 Fail to obtain aggressive $250.00 $187.50 $312.50" … "27 Unlawfully keep aggressive $500.00. $375.00 $500.00" … "29 Fail to provide $250.00 $187.50 $312.50" … "78(a) Fail to secure aggressive $500.00 $375.00 $500.00" … "78(b) Fail to muzzle aggressive $500.00 $375.00 $500.00" … "78(c) Fail to display aggressive $200.00 $150.00 $250.00" … "78(d) Fail to confine aggressive $500.00 $375.00 $500.00" … "81(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) Fail to comply with"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (Part 7, Aggressive Dogs), with Community Charter s. 49.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 1](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW 2021 NO. 7316.”"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 76](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Dangerous Dog may also be dealt with by the City in accordance with Section 49 of the Community Charter."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under Part 7 of the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf), the Poundkeeper decides and serves a written notice on the owner. A dog counts as aggressive if it has attacked, bitten or injured a person or shown a tendency to; bitten, killed or injured a companion animal, poultry or livestock; aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal; is known to attack without provocation; is kept or trained for fighting; or is a Dangerous Dog under section 49 of the Community Charter.

## Steps

1. Apply for an Aggressive Dog licence within 14 days of the notice. The owner must be over 19, with vet proof of sterilization and permanent identification.
2. Post warning signs at every entrance.
3. By January 30 each year, provide $1,000,000 liability insurance naming the City, and a photo.

## Good to know

- Outside the property: leash of 6 feet or less, and a muzzle.
- On the property: indoors, behind a fence at least 6 feet high, or in a locked rear-yard enclosure approved by the Poundkeeper.
- Not allowed on school grounds, within 30 m of a playground, in off-leash areas or in a park.
- Tell an animal control officer immediately if the dog is loose or has bitten or attacked, and within 2 days of moving, selling, giving away or the death of the dog. The Poundkeeper may add training or handling conditions.
- After at least 2 years with no further complaints and a behaviour course, the owner may apply to the Manager, Bylaw Services for relief.
- Tickets: $500 for failing to secure, muzzle or confine the dog, keeping one unlawfully, or having it on school grounds, in a park or off leash ($375 early); $250 for missing the 14-day licence or January 30 documents; $200 for no warning signs.
- To report a dog, call Nanaimo Animal Control.

## What you'll need

- Owner over 19 years of age
- Veterinarian proof of sterilization and permanent identification of the dog
- Liability insurance of $1,000,000 naming the City (every year), and a photo (every year)

## Official forms and pages

- [Dangerous or Aggressive Dogs (City of Nanaimo)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dangerous-or-aggressive-dogs)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 7316 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Nanaimo dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dog-licence.md)
- [Nanaimo dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dog-leash-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Dangerous or Aggressive Dogs, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dangerous-or-aggressive-dogs) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF), Schedule A](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159 (PDF), Schedule A](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7159.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animals in the City, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/green-initiatives/urban-forestry/animals-trees-gardens/animals-in-the-city) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Nanaimo. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dangerous-dogs/_