Pouce Coupe rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In Pouce Coupe, the Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog is dangerous or high-risk and gives the owner written notice. Owners then face strict rules on leashing, muzzling, signs and confinement. A dangerous dog licence is $199.37; a high-risk dog licence is $110.76.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | A dangerous dog has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, tends to attack without provocation, has bitten or attacked without provocation, is owned for dog fighting, or an officer reasonably believes it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The Animal Control Officer decides, at sole discretion, and gives the owner written notice. A lower "high-risk dog" tier also exists.Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 3 (Dangerous Dog) and s. 11.1; Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 3 (High-Risk Dog) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghas killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal; is owned or trained for the purpose of dog fighting; an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. in the opinion of and at the sole discretion of an Animal Control Officer, a dog meets the definition of a dangerous dog has, without provocation, displayed aggressive behaviour towards a person or domestic animal on more than one occasion, but has not caused serious injury; |
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| Rules for owners | Dangerous dog: never at large; off the property only on a leash of 1 m or less, held by a competent person, and muzzled; warning sign at every entry; kept indoors or in an enclosed pen; tattoo or microchip within 30 days of notice. High-risk dog: leash of 1 m or less and continuous control; confined indoors or fenced.Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 11.1 (dangerous dog); Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 11.1 (high-risk dog) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingleash not exceeding 1 min length, and muzzled by a properly fitted humane device warning that there is a dangerous dog on the premises; keep the dangerous dog securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in an enclosed pen or other structure within 30 calendar days of receiving notice from the Animal Control Officer that their dog is a dangerous dog, ensure the dog has permanent identification in the form of a tattoo or microchip firmly held by a person competent to restrain the dog on a leash not exceeding 1 min length; under continuous control of that person. |
| Licence fee | Dangerous dog licence $199.37; high-risk dog licence $110.76 (Bylaw 1062, Schedule B).Consolidated Municipal Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1062, 2025, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDangerous Dog Licence $199.37 High Risk Dog Licence $110.76 |
| How to report | Report to the Animal Control Officer, Sam Lowdon: bylaw@poucecoupe.ca, 250-719-6081. Complaints must be written: use the Report a Concern form or the Bylaw Complaint form on the Village website, with your name, address and phone number.Animal Control, Animal Control Officer; Bylaw Enforcement, How To Make A Complaint · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSam Lowdon, Bylaw Enforcement/Animal Control Officer bylaw@poucecoupe.ca 250-719-6081 To register a complaint with the Village, please use the Pouce Coupe Website - Contact - Report a Concern or Bylaw Complaint form and fill out the form. |
| Fine | The ticket schedule still lists only "vicious dog" offences (not "dangerous" or "high-risk"): $300 each for harbouring a diseased or vicious animal, allowing a vicious dog at large, failing to muzzle or control it, or ignoring a vicious-dog notice. Second offence is $400 or $600 depending on the row; third $900.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1052, 2025, Schedule B (Animal Control) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAllow vicious dog to be at large 11(4) $300.00 Fail to muzzle and/or control vicious animal 11(2) $300.00 Fail to obey vicious dog condition/notice 11(4) $300.00 For a second offence under S. 11(2), 11(3)-(4) 19(3) $600.00 For a third offence under S. 11(1), 11(3)-(4) 19(4) $900.00 Allow vicious dog to be at large For a second offence under S. 9(1), 8(1), 10(1), 11(4) For a second offence under S. 11(2), 11(3)-(4) |
| Bylaw | Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018 (consolidated with amending bylaws 1064 and 1078, 2025), s. 11.1.Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018. |
How it works
Under the Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, a dog in Pouce Coupe is dangerous if it has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, tends to attack without provocation, has bitten or attacked without provocation, is owned for dog fighting, or an officer reasonably believes it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The Animal Control Officer decides, at sole discretion, and gives the owner written notice. A lower "high-risk dog" tier also exists, which includes a breed, type or mix that Council has designated by resolution.
Good to know
- Dangerous dog: never at large. Off the property only on a leash of 1 m or less, held by a competent person, and muzzled. A warning sign at every entry. Kept indoors or in an enclosed pen. Tattoo or microchip within 30 days of notice.
- High-risk dog: leash of 1 m or less and continuous control, and confined indoors or fenced. Owners must also follow any extra conditions the officer sets.
- Licences: dangerous dog $199.37; high-risk dog $110.76.
- The ticket schedule still lists only "vicious dog" offences: $300 for each of harbouring a diseased or vicious animal, allowing a vicious dog at large, failing to muzzle or control it, or ignoring a vicious-dog notice. Repeat offences are higher. A court fine of up to $10,000 is also possible.
- To report a dog, send a written complaint with your name, address and phone number using the Report a Concern or Bylaw Complaint form on the Village website, or contact bylaw@poucecoupe.ca or 250-719-6081.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Dawson Creek · Fort St. John · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Mackenzie · Prince George
Sources
- Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe (read 2026-11-08)
- Consolidated Municipal Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1062, 2025 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1052, 2025 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control, Village of Pouce Coupe (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Village of Pouce Coupe (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.