---
title: North Cowichan rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in North Cowichan?"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Municipality of North Cowichan
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# North Cowichan rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**Short answer:** In North Cowichan, a dog that has attacked or bitten someone, or shown a tendency to, can be declared an aggressive dog by the Poundkeeper (Coastal Animal Services). The owner must then license it as aggressive ($100 a year), muzzle and leash it off the property, and keep it in a secure pen.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Municipality of North Cowichan, https://www.northcowichan.ca)  
**Cost:** Aggressive dog licence $100 a year (minus any amount already paid that year for the dog's ordinary licence), plus $25 if paid after February 28. Fines: municipal ticket $200 to $475, depending on the offence; bylaw notice $100 to $300.  
**How long:** The owner has 14 days from the written notice to license the dog as aggressive. Insurance proof, a side-view photo and the fee are due by January 30 each year.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Coastal Animal Services (animal control contractor), 250-748-3395
- Email: Coastal Animal Services, info@coastalanimalservices.com
- Phone: Coastal Animal Services after-hours emergency (attacking or aggressive dogs), 250-732-7720
- Phone: Emergency involving danger to people, 9-1-1

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** An 'Aggressive Dog' is one that has attacked, bitten or injured a person (or shown a tendency to), bitten or killed a companion or farm animal, aggressively chased or harassed a person or animal, is kept or trained for dog fighting, or is a dangerous dog under s. 49 of the Community Charter. The Poundkeeper (Coastal Animal Services) decides and serves written notice. The owner can ask the Manager of Fire & Bylaw Services to reconsider within 14 days.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 2, 60, 78](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“Aggressive Dog” means any Dog that meets any one of the following conditions" … "is a dangerous dog as defined by Section 49 of the Community Charter" … "Where the Poundkeeper determines that a Dog meets the definition of an Aggressive Dog" … "within 14 calendar days of receipt of that notice, request in writing"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** Licence the dog as aggressive within 14 days of the notice (owner over 19; dog neutered and microchipped or tattooed; $1,000,000 liability insurance proof each January). Off the property: muzzle and leash no longer than 1.83 m. At home: locked rear-yard pen inspected by an Animal Control Officer, or indoors. Post warning signs at all entrances. Not allowed on school grounds, within 30 m of playground apparatus, or in the off-leash areas. Report address changes, sale or death within one week and escapes or bites immediately.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 64-72, 77](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An Owner must apply for an Aggressive Dog Licence within 14 days of receiving a notice" … "minimum amount of $1,000,000" … "Keep the Dog Muzzled when not on the Owner’s property" … "within 30m of any playground apparatus" … "Advise an Animal Control Officer immediately if the Dog has bitten or attacked any Person"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility, Aggressive dogs](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/animal-responsibility)
  - Official wording: "Post a warning sign at the entrance to the owner’s property"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** $100 a year (minus any amount already paid that year for the dog's ordinary licence); $25 extra if paid after February 28.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 3-4](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive Dog Licence Fee (minus any previous amount paid in" … "Aggressive Dog Licence Late Fee (after February 28) $25 additional"
  - Source: [Dogs, Dog licence fees](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "| Kennel licences purchased after February | $150.00 | Aggressive dog licence | $100.00 | Aggressive dog licence purchased after February | $125.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Report to Coastal Animal Services, the animal control contractor: 250-748-3395 or info@coastalanimalservices.com. Its 24-hour emergency service covers attacking or aggressive dogs; its after-hours emergency number is 250-732-7720. Owners of an aggressive dog must also tell an Animal Control Officer at once if it bites someone.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility, Coastal Animal Services](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/animal-responsibility)
  - Official wording: "Attacking or aggressive dogs" … "250-748-3395" … "after hours 250-732-7720"
  - Source: [Bylaw Services, Animal-related concerns](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services)
  - Official wording: "Any bylaw violations relating to dogs and cats must be reported to Coastal Animal Control Services"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: aggressive dog at large $475; failing to muzzle, keep secure, give annual documents, enclose properly or display signs $200 to $300; on school grounds or playgrounds $300. Bylaw notice amounts are lower for some: at large $200 ($100 early, $220 late); fail to muzzle $300 ($150, $320); improper enclosure $200 to $300; signage $200; school or playground $100.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 1, items 35-42](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive Dog At-Large 69 (b) $475" … "Fail to muzzle an Aggressive Dog 69 (c) $300" … "Fail to display Aggressive Dog Signage 69 (d); 77 $200"
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, ss. 67-77](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive Dog At-Large $200 $100 $220" … "Fail to muzzle an Aggressive Dog $300 $150 $320" … "Fail to display Aggressive Dog Signage $200 $100 $220"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, Part 7 (ss. 60-81).
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under Part 7 of the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf>), an "aggressive dog" is one that has attacked, bitten or injured a person (or shown a tendency to), bitten or killed a companion or farm animal, aggressively chased or harassed a person or animal, is kept or trained for dog fighting, or is a dangerous dog under s. 49 of the Community Charter.

The Poundkeeper (Coastal Animal Services) decides and serves written notice. The owner can ask the Manager of Fire & Bylaw Services to reconsider within 14 days.

## Steps

1. If you receive a notice, license the dog as aggressive within 14 days. The owner must be over 19, the dog neutered and microchipped or tattooed, and you must give proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance each January.
2. Off your property, keep the dog muzzled and on a leash no longer than 1.83 m.
3. At home, keep it in a locked rear-yard pen inspected by an Animal Control Officer, or indoors. Post warning signs at all entrances.
4. Report an address change, sale or death within one week, and report an escape or a bite immediately.

## Good to know

- Aggressive dogs are not allowed on school grounds, within 30 m of playground apparatus, or in the off-leash areas.
- After at least 2 years with no further complaints and a behaviour course, an owner may ask for relief from some requirements.
- Report an aggressive dog to Coastal Animal Services. Its 24-hour emergency service covers attacking or aggressive dogs. If people are in danger, call 9-1-1.
- Municipal ticket amounts: aggressive dog at large $475; failing to muzzle, keep secure, give annual documents, enclose properly or display signs $200 to $300; on school grounds or playgrounds $300.
- Bylaw notice amounts are lower for some: at large $200 ($100 if paid early, $220 late); failing to muzzle $300 ($150, $320); improper enclosure $200 to $300; signage $200; school or playground $100.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, Part 7 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [North Cowichan dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [North Cowichan dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/how-many-pets.md)
- [North Cowichan noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/noise-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Responsibility, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/animal-responsibility) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Services, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Municipality of North Cowichan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dangerous-dogs/_