Powell River rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In the City of Powell River, a dog with a known tendency to attack, or that has bitten or aggressively pursued a person or animal without provocation, is a dangerous dog. Off its owner's property it must be leashed and muzzled. Report one to Animal Control at 604-485-8600.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | A "dangerous dog" is one with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack a person or another animal without provocation, or one that has bitten, attacked or aggressively pursued a person or another animal without provocation.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga dog with a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, without provocation, a person or a dog which has bitten, attacked, or aggressively pursued, without provocation, a person |
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| Rules for owners | Off the owner's property, the dog must be on a leash or tether no longer than two metres, securely muzzled, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person. On the owner's property it must be kept securely confined in a building or enclosure that prevents its escape and the entry of children under 12.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), ss. 16, 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless the dog is kept on a leash or tether not exceeding two metres in length, is securely muzzled securely confined within a building or enclosure capable of preventing the dog’s escape and the entry of children under the age of 12 years old |
| Licence fee | Not confirmed. Powell River's bylaw and City page do not state a separate licence fee for a dangerous dog. |
| How to report | City Bylaw Enforcement/Animal Control: (604) 485-8600, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; after hours, Saturday and Sunday: (604) 485-6291, press 3. For a dangerous dog at large that is a threat to public safety after hours, call the RCMP at (604) 485-6255. Complaints must include name, address and phone number; anonymous complaints are not accepted.Animal Control, Dangerous, Deceased and Abused Animals; Contact Us · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAfter hours report of dangerous dogs at large if a threat to public safety: RCMP (604) 485-6255 Call (604) 485-8600 (8:00 am - 4:30 pm) Monday - Friday Anonymous complaints will not be accepted by the City |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $300 for a dangerous dog not leashed or tethered and muzzled (s. 16) and $300 for one not securely confined (s. 17) ($30 discount if paid within 14 days; $30 surcharge after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $300 each.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, App. 1, ss. 16, 17; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, s. 7, Sch. A; Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022), Sch. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording16 Dangerous dog not leashed or $300 $30 $30 Not Applicable 17 Dangerous dog not securely $300 $30 $30 if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received the amount of the surcharge in Column A3 of Schedule "A" shall be due Dangerous dog not leashed or tethered and muzzled 16 $ 300.00 Dangerous dog not securely confined 17 $ 300.00 |
| Bylaw | City of Powell River Animal Control Bylaw No. 1979, 2003Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCity of Powell River Animal Control Bylaw No.1979, 2003 |
How it works
In the Animal Control Bylaw, a "dangerous dog" is one with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack a person or another animal without provocation, or one that has bitten, attacked or aggressively pursued a person or another animal without provocation. The bylaw does not say who decides or set out a declaration process; the definition applies on its own terms.
Steps
- Off the owner's property, keep the dog on a leash or tether no longer than 2 metres, securely muzzled, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person.
- On the owner's property, keep it securely confined in a building or enclosure that prevents its escape and the entry of children under 12.
- To report a dangerous dog, call City Bylaw Enforcement/Animal Control at 604-485-8600, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Good to know
- After hours and on weekends call 604-485-6291, press 3. For a dangerous dog at large that is a threat to public safety after hours, call the RCMP at 604-485-6255.
- Complaints must include your name, address and phone number. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
- No separate licence fee for a dangerous dog is stated in the bylaw or on the City page.
- The bylaw requires no warning signs.
- A bylaw notice is $300 for a dangerous dog not leashed or tethered and muzzled, and $300 for one not securely confined ($30 discount if paid within 14 days; $30 surcharge if paid after 28 days). A municipal ticket is $300 for each.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Comox · Courtenay · Cumberland · Qualicum Beach · Campbell River · Parksville
Sources
- Animal Control, City of Powell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026 (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.