{"title":"Port Alberni rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Port Alberni","url":"https://www.portalberni.ca"},"short_answer":"Port Alberni's Animal Control and Pound Bylaw regulates \"vicious dogs\". An owner must keep one confined indoors, in a child-proof enclosed pen, or muzzled and leashed with a skilled handler. A bylaw notice for failing to do so is $500. Report to Coastal Animal Control Services.","aliases":["vicious dog port alberni","dog bite port alberni","aggressive dog bylaw port alberni","dangerous dog rules"],"cost":"Bylaw notice $500 for each failure to confine, enclose or muzzle a vicious dog ($375 if paid within 14 days; $500 if paid late). No special licence fee is listed.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Coastal Animal Control Services","value":"250-748-3395","note":"Toll-free 1-888-754-1397"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"250-720-2831"},{"type":"phone","label":"RCMP non-emergency","value":"250-723-2424"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126, 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Port Alberni dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Port Alberni dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dog-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/dangerous-dogs/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs/"},"facts":{"how_declared":{"label":"How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive","value":"A 'vicious dog' has, by City or Poundkeeper records or the owner's knowledge, killed or injured an animal or human or aggressively chased or threatened a human without provocation; was bred for fighting; or has a known tendency to attack. 'Dangerous dog' means a dog in a provincial destruction-order process. The bylaw names no decider.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126, 2025 (consolidated, includes 5126-2) (PDF)","section":"s. 2, Vicious Dog","quotes":["according to the records of the City or the Poundkeeper, has killed or injured an animal or a human","a dog specifically bred for fighting or training purposes","a dog with a known tendency, propensity or disposition to attack animals or humans without provocation","a dog that is or may be subject to a dangerous dog or destruction-order process under provincial law","includes a dog identified as a Vicious Dog under this Bylaw where applicable"]},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126, 2025 (consolidated, includes 5126-2) (PDF)","section":"s. 2, Dangerous Dog (added by 5126-2)","quotes":["a dog that is or may be subject to a dangerous dog or destruction-order process under provincial law"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"The owner must always keep a vicious dog either securely confined indoors, or in an enclosed pen that keeps children under 12 out and the dog in, or muzzled, on a leash and under the immediate control of a competent person skilled in animal control.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126, 2025 (consolidated, includes 5126-2) (PDF)","section":"s. 23","quotes":["securely confined indoors such that the dog cannot escape","prevents the entry into the pen or enclosure of children under 12 years old","muzzled, on a leash and under the immediate control of a competent person"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":null,"status":"none","note":"Port Alberni's Fees and Charges Bylaw lists no special licence fee for a dangerous or vicious dog.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)"}]},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Call Coastal Animal Control Services at 250-748-3395 (toll free 1-888-754-1397) for dangerous or aggressive dogs. For matters needing police, call the RCMP at 250.723.2424.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/animal-control-and-wildlife","title":"Animal Control and Wildlife, City of Port Alberni","section":"Contact","quotes":["Residents who require animal control assistance can contact Coastal Animal Control by: Phone: 250-748-3395 Toll Free: 1-888-754-1397 Email: info@coastalanimalservices.com ## Frequently Asked Questions"]},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/bylaw-services-department","title":"Bylaw Services Department, City of Port Alberni","section":"Bylaw Services","quotes":["For any matters requiring Police attention, please contact the local RCMP office at 250.723.2424."]},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/animal-control-and-wildlife","title":"Animal Control and Wildlife, City of Port Alberni","section":"FAQ","quotes":["Dangerous dog response and management, and the pickup and care of stray animals."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 each for failing to confine, enclose or muzzle a vicious dog ($375 if paid within 14 days; $500 if paid late).","short":"Notice $500 ($375 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5128%2C%205128-1_Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20No.%205128%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A-2, s. 23","quotes":["Fail to confine vicious dog $500.00 $375.00 $500.00","Fail to enclose vicious dog $500.00 $375.00 $500.00","Fail to muzzle vicious dog $500.00 $375.00 $500.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw, No. 5126, 2025","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126, 2025 (consolidated, includes 5126-2) (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Animal Control and Pound Bylaw, No. 5126, 2025"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":1,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf>) defines a \"vicious dog\" as one that, by City or Poundkeeper records or the owner's knowledge, has killed or injured an animal or person, or aggressively chased or threatened a person without provocation; was bred for fighting; or has a known tendency to attack. A \"dangerous dog\" is a dog in a provincial destruction-order process. The bylaw does not say who decides a dog is vicious or how to challenge that.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The owner of a vicious dog must always keep it securely confined indoors, or in an enclosed pen that keeps children under 12 out and the dog in, or muzzled, on a leash and under the immediate control of a competent person skilled in animal control.\n- Failing to do so is a $500 bylaw notice for each offence ($375 if paid within 14 days; $500 if paid late), under the [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5128%2C%205128-1_Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20No.%205128%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf>).\n- No special licence fee for a dangerous or vicious dog is listed in the [Fees and Charges Bylaw](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf>), Schedule H. It lists a boarding fee of $25 a day for a vicious dog housed awaiting a destruction order, plus actual veterinary costs.\n- To report a dangerous or aggressive dog, call Coastal Animal Control Services at 250-748-3395 (toll-free 1-888-754-1397). For matters needing police, call the RCMP at 250-723-2424. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/animal-control-and-wildlife","title":"Animal Control and Wildlife, City of Port Alberni","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5126_5126-1_5126-2_Animal%20Control%20and%20Pound%20Bylaw%20No.%205126%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 5126, 2025 (consolidated, includes 5126-2) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5128%2C%205128-1_Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20No.%205128%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/bylaw-services-department","title":"Bylaw Services Department, City of Port Alberni","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/Animal%20Control%20Services%20Quick%20Guide.pdf","title":"Animal Control Services Quick Guide (effective March 1, 2026), City of Port Alberni","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dangerous-dogs.json"}}