Qualicum Beach rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

Qualicum Beach, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

How it works

The Animal Control Bylaw No. 649 uses the term vicious dog. A dog is vicious if it:

• has killed or seriously injured a person or animal;
• has bitten, attacked or aggressively pursued a person or animal without provocation;
• has a known tendency to attack without provocation;
• was trained or is owned for dog fighting; or
• an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.

The bylaw sets no formal declaration or appeal process. It defines the term and the Animal Control Officer applies it. Aggressive dog is not a separate category.

Rules for owners

• Off the property: the dog must be on a leash or tether of no more than two metres, securely muzzled, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person.
• On the property: the dog must be securely confined in a building or enclosure at least one metre from the property line, one that keeps the dog in and keeps out children under 12. A warning sign (words and symbol) must be at the entrance.
• Tell the Town within two working days if the dog is sold, given away or dies (with a vet certificate of death), and immediately if it is loose or has bitten or attacked a person or farm animal.

Steps to report

1. Call the Town's Bylaw Department at 250-738-2205.
2. Complaints should be in writing with your name, address and phone number (Policy 3000-19).

Good to know

• The Town's animal control page says the dog must be muzzled on the owner's property. The bylaw (s. 34) requires the muzzle when the dog is off the property. This answer follows the bylaw; confirm with the Town.
• The Town has no separate licence fee for a vicious dog.