North Cowichan rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

North Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 2, 60, 78 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 64-72, 77; Animal Responsibility, Aggressive dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Post a warning sign at the entrance to the owner’s property
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 3-4; Dogs, Dog licence fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Aggressive Dog Licence Fee (minus any previous amount paid in Aggressive Dog Licence Late Fee (after February 28) $25 additional \| Kennel licences purchased after February \| $150.00 \| Aggressive dog licence \| $100.00 \| Aggressive dog licence purchased after February \| $125.00
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.Animal Responsibility, Coastal Animal Services; Bylaw Services, Animal-related concerns · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Attacking or aggressive dogs 250-748-3395 after hours 250-732-7720 Any bylaw violations relating to dogs and cats must be reported to Coastal Animal Control Services
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.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 1, items 35-42; Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, ss. 67-77 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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
Bylaw	Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, Part 7 (ss. 60-81).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019”

How it works

Under Part 7 of the Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 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

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.
Off your property, keep the dog muzzled and on a leash no longer than 1.83 m.
At home, keep it in a locked rear-yard pen inspected by an Animal Control Officer, or indoors. Post warning signs at all entrances.
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)

The same question in other places

Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich

Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Animal Responsibility, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Services, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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