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Nelson rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

Nelson, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Nelson's Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 regulates "vicious dogs": dogs with a known tendency to attack, dogs that have bitten without provocation, and Pit Bull Terrier-type breeds. They need a $300 licence, a leash and muzzle in public, and secure confinement at home.

Key facts

How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressiveThe bylaw uses the term 'Vicious Dog': a dog over about 4 months old with a known tendency to attack without provocation, or that has bitten an animal or person without provocation, or any Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or cross of those breeds.Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333, s. 1 definition of Vicious Dog · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without provocation other domestic animals or humans; or
which has bitten another domestic animal or human without provocation;
which is a Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or any dog of mixed breeding which includes any of the aforementioned breeds.
Rules for ownersA vicious dog must be on a leash and effectively muzzled on any street, public place or private land without the occupier's consent, and must never be at large. On the owner's premises it must be kept indoors or in an enclosed six-foot chain-link fence. The City may require $1,000,000 liability insurance before licensing.Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333, s. 8(a), 3(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
unless such Vicious Dog is on a leash and effectively muzzled.
keep the dog securely confined, either indoors or in an enclosed six foot
the City may require the owner to furnish proof of liability insurance, for the entire period of licensing, of at least $1,000,000
Licence fee$300 a year licence for a Vicious/Pit Bull Terrier dog. Impound basic fee for a vicious dog is $1,250.Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Vicious/Pit Bull Terrier Dog $ 300.00
Vicious Dog-Basic Fee $ 1,250.00
How to reportDomestic Animal Control, phone 250-505-5666, or the online complaint form. The City does not accept anonymous complaints.Animal Control; Request Bylaw Enforcement · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Phone: 250-505-5666
Submit a Complaint Form
We do not accept anonymous complaints.
FineBylaw notice: vicious dog at large $150 ($100 within 14 days; $200 after 28 days); second offence $250; third and further $500. Vicious dog not on a leash in a leash area: the same. Vicious dog not muzzled $150 ($100; $300).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Regulation and Control, s. 8(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Vicious dog at large 150 100 200
Vicious dog not on leash in
Vicious dog not muzzled 150 100 300
BylawAnimal Regulation and Control Bylaw No. 2333, 1989 (sections 1, 3(c), 8(a), 20(b)). Fees: Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule M.Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333, s. 39 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw No. 2333, 1989

How it works

Nelson's Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 uses the term "vicious dog". That is a dog over about four months old with a known tendency to attack without provocation, or that has bitten an animal or person without provocation, or any Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or cross of those breeds. The breed test applies automatically.

Steps

  1. Licence the dog at the $300 vicious dog rate. The City may require $1,000,000 liability insurance before licensing.
  2. At home, keep the dog indoors or in an enclosed six-foot chain-link fence.
  3. In any street, public place or private land without the occupier's consent, keep the dog on a leash and effectively muzzled. It must never be at large.
  4. To report a dangerous dog, call Domestic Animal Control at 250-505-5666 or use the online form. In urgent danger, call 911.

Good to know

  • The bylaw does not say who decides a dog is vicious, and it has no separate "dangerous" or "aggressive" category.
  • An impounded vicious dog may be redeemed within 24 hours (not counting weekends and holidays). The basic impound fee is $1,250.
  • The City does not accept anonymous complaints.
  • Nelson uses bylaw notices only. A court fine for an offence under the bylaw can be up to $10,000.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Castlegar · Salmo · Fruitvale · Montrose · Trail · Warfield

Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Animal Control, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Request Bylaw Enforcement, City of Nelson (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. How answers are checked.