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

# New Westminster rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**Short answer:** New Westminster's Animal Care and Control Bylaw sorts risky dogs into aggressive, vicious and dangerous tiers, each with stricter leash, muzzle and confinement rules. Dangerous dogs also need an enclosure at least 1.8 m high and $1,000,000 liability insurance. Report a dog to 604-519-2008.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of New Westminster, https://www.newwestcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Dangerous dog licence: $221 a year not spayed or neutered ($277 after March 1; $112 first licence); $167 spayed or neutered ($221 after March 1; $83 first licence). Impoundment of a dangerous or vicious dog: $379, first offence.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Animal Services, 604-519-2008 (Press 0 for urgent matters.)

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** Aggressive: unprovoked aggressive behaviour or minor injury. Vicious: serious injury, repeated minor injuries, or officer believes likely. Dangerous (Community Charter s. 49): has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or an officer believes it likely to kill or seriously injure a person. A bylaw officer gives written notice.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 3.1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“Aggressive Dog” means a dog that:" … "has, without provocation, caused a serious injury to another domestic" … "“Dangerous Dog” means a dangerous dog as defined in the Community Charter;"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 6.1, 7.1, 8.1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the bylaw officer may issue written notice to the owner of that dog advising the owner of the requirements of this bylaw with respect to aggressive dogs."
  - Source: [Community Charter, s. 49(1)](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03)
  - Official wording: "has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal, while in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog" … "an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** Aggressive: leash 1 m or less off property, never at large, muzzled in off-leash areas. Vicious: also muzzled off property, warning sign, penned or indoors. Dangerous: also enclosure at least 1.8 m high, photo at shelter, $1,000,000 liability insurance. All need permanent ID within 30 days.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 6.2](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "secure the dog by a collar and leash that is a maximum length of one (1) metre" … "keep the dog muzzled when in a designated off leash area" … "ensure the dog has permanent identification"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 7.2](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "post a clearly visible sign at all points of entry onto any premises" … "keep the dog effectively muzzled to prevent it from biting another animal or human when not on the owner’s property"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 8.2](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "keep the dog securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in an enclosure" … "proof of liability insurance in the amount of not less than one million ($1,000,000) dollars"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 3.1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“Enclosure” means a structure at least 1.8 meters in height having a concrete or asphalt floor and wire or steel mesh sides and roof"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Dangerous dog licence: $221 a year unsterilized ($277 after March 1; $112 first licence); $167 sterilized ($221 after March 1; $83 first licence).
  - Source: [Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw 7553, 2013, Part 1.0](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7553__2013_Engineering_User_Fees_and_Rates__2025_12_15_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Paid After Initial Before March 1st License" … "Dangerous Dog - $221.00 $277.00 $112.00" … "Dangerous Dog - $167.00 $221.00 $83.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Phone Animal Services at 604-519-2008 (press 0 for urgent matters) and give a detailed account to an Animal Services Officer. Anyone who finds an aggressive, vicious or dangerous dog must give the City a description or photograph and any identification information.
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions, Animal Services, Aggressive Dogs](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/animal-services/frequently-asked-questions)
  - Official wording: "please phone us at 604-519-2008 to provide a detailed account to an Animal Services Officer"
  - Source: [Animal Services, Contact](https://www.newwestcity.ca/animal-services)
  - Official wording: "604-519-2008 (press 0 for urgent matters)"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 11.10](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person who finds and takes control or possession of a stray animal or an aggressive, vicious or dangerous dog in the City shall immediately provide the City with"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: aggressive-dog breaches $300; vicious $400 (muzzle $500; warning sign $250; death or transfer notices $300); dangerous $500. Within 14 days, $100 less; late, $25 more. Municipal ticket information: $1,000 for most; $500 for warning signs and aggressive-dog notices.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. A Part 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive dog at large 300.00 200.00 325.00" … "Vicious dog at large 400.00 300.00 425.00" … "Vicious dog not muzzled 500.00 400.00 525.00" … "Dangerous dog at large 500.00 400.00 525.00" … "Vicious dog warning sign 250.00 150.00 275.00" … "Fail to notify death or 300.00 200.00 325.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. B Part 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous dog at large 1,000.00" … "Dangerous dog warning sign not posted 500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 7586, 2013
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as “Animal Care and Control Bylaw NO. 7586, 2013”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

A bylaw officer gives the owner written notice that a dog is aggressive, vicious or dangerous, under the [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586](<https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf>).

- **Aggressive:** unprovoked aggressive behaviour, or a minor injury.
- **Vicious:** a serious injury, repeated minor injuries, or an officer believes it likely.
- **Dangerous:** as defined in section 49 of the provincial Community Charter. It has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or an officer believes it likely to.

A vicious-dog owner may make written submissions to the supervisor within 14 days of the notice. The supervisor may uphold the designation, rescind it, or substitute aggressive.

## Rules by tier

1. **Aggressive:** leash of 1 metre or less off your property; never at large; muzzled in off-leash areas; permanent identification within 30 days. After one year with no further complaints and a completed training course, you may ask for relief from the leash and muzzle rules.
2. **Vicious:** the same, plus muzzled whenever off your property, a warning sign, and kept penned or indoors.
3. **Dangerous:** the vicious rules, plus an enclosure at least 1.8 m high, a photo of the dog at the shelter, and $1,000,000 liability insurance.

## Good to know

- Tell the City in writing within 10 days if the dog dies or is disposed of, and tell any new owner of the designation.
- To report a dog, phone Animal Services at 604-519-2008 (press 0 for urgent matters). Anyone who finds an aggressive, vicious or dangerous dog must give the City a description or photograph and any identification information.
- Bylaw notice amounts: aggressive-dog breaches $300; vicious $400 (muzzle $500, warning sign $250); dangerous $500. Pay within 14 days and it is $100 less; pay late and it is $25 more.
- Municipal ticket amounts: $1,000 for most of these offences, and $500 for warning signs and aggressive-dog notices.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw page](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/animal-services/animal-care-and-control)
- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw page, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/animal-services/animal-care-and-control) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Frequently Asked Questions, Animal Services](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/animal-services/frequently-asked-questions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Services, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/animal-services) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw 7553, 2013, Part 1.0 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7553__2013_Engineering_User_Fees_and_Rates__2025_12_15_consolidation_.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Community Charter](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_03) (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 New Westminster. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dangerous-dogs/_