Port Hardy rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Port Hardy?

Port Hardy, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

How it works

Under Part 2, section 8 of the Animal Care and Control Bylaw 11-2012, a dog is dangerous if it has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal off its owner's property, or if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. An Animal Control Officer, Bylaw Enforcement Officer or Peace Officer classifies it. Only a court can overturn that.

Steps

1. If a dog is classified as dangerous, licence it as a dangerous dog. The owner must be over 18 and give a veterinarian's proof of neutering. The fee is $89.50.
2. Off your property, keep the dog muzzled and on a leash no longer than one metre, held by a handler over 18.
3. At home, keep it indoors or in a locked pen at least 1 m from the property line and 3 m from a neighbouring dwelling. Post warning signs.
4. Report any escape to the District.

Good to know

• If the owner is unwilling or unable to comply, the dog is seized and impounded for 14 days and then euthanized. An officer may also apply to Provincial Court within 21 days for a destruction order.
• Impounding a dangerous or restricted dog costs $486.
• To report a bite or an aggressive dog, call the Animal Control Officer at 250-949-6113 (after hours, leave a message). No page gives a separate bite-reporting process. For emergencies call 911; the RCMP non-emergency line is 250-949-6335.
• A municipal ticket is $250 for keeping a dangerous dog without a licence, no muzzle, not securely confined, no sign, or not reporting an escape. An unprovoked attack on a person is $250 and on a domestic animal $100 (Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 01-2010).