---
title: Quesnel rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?"
place: Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/quesnel
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Quesnel
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Quesnel rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

**Question:** What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?

**Short answer:** In the City of Quesnel an "aggressive dog" (one that has attacked, bitten or harassed a person or animal, among other tests) must be securely confined or leashed and muzzled, have a separate $200 licence, permanent identification and warning signs. The Animal Control Officer decides.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Quesnel, https://www.quesnel.ca)  
**Cost:** Aggressive dog licence $200 a year. Municipal tickets $200 first offence, $400 second within 12 months, $800 subsequent within 12 months, for each rule broken.  
**How long:** An ordinary licence becomes invalid once the dog is designated aggressive; a new aggressive-dog licence is needed within 14 days.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 250-992-2111
- Email: Bylaw Enforcement, bylaw@quesnel.ca
- Online: Bylaw Complaint Form, https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-enforcement/bylaw-complaint-form
- Phone: RCMP non-emergency, 250-992-9211 (Call 9-1-1 if someone is in immediate danger.)

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** "Aggressive dog" covers a dog that has attacked, bitten or injured a person, bitten or killed a domestic animal, aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal without provocation, has a known propensity to attack, was kept for dog fighting, a "dangerous dog" under s. 49(1) of the Community Charter, or one the Animal Control Officer considers dangerous or aggressive. A minor bite does not count. The Animal Control Officer decides.
  - Source: [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018), s. 2.1 "Aggressive Dog"; s. 5.6](https://www.quesnel.ca/sites/default/files/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws/animal-bird-insect-bylaw-2011-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A dog that has aggressively attacked, bitten, or caused injury to a person or has demonstrated a propensity, tendency or disposition to do so;" … "a dog that is considered by the Animal Control Officer to be dangerous or aggressive on the basis that it exhibits one or more of the behaviours of an aggressive dog" … "has the same meaning as defined in Section 49(1) of the Community Charter" … "A dog that inflicts a minor bite shall not be deemed an aggressive dog under this bylaw."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** Keep the dog at all times (a) securely confined indoors, or (b) in an escape-proof enclosure at least 1.5 m x 3 m and 1.5 m high, at least 1 m from the property line and 5 m from a neighbouring dwelling, or (c) on a leash or tether no longer than 1.5 m, not retractable, held by a competent adult skilled in animal control; and muzzled in a vehicle or public place. Owner must get a separate aggressive-dog licence, have permanent identification (e.g. tattoo) and post warning signs at each driveway or entrance.
  - Source: [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018), s. 6.1, 6.2](https://www.quesnel.ca/sites/default/files/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws/animal-bird-insect-bylaw-2011-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "securely confined indoors such that the animal cannot escape" … "minimum dimensions of one and one-half (1.5) metres by three (3) metres in dimension" … "held by and under the immediate control of a competent adult skilled in animal control;" … "muzzled while in a vehicle or public place." … "obtain from the City a separate licence indicating the animal is aggressive;" … "tattoo or other permanent identification devise satisfactory to the Animal Control Officer" … "the signs must be posted in each driveway or entrance to the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** The annual aggressive dog licence is $200.
  - Source: [Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedule D6 (consolidated December 2025)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/master-fee-bylaw-january-1-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "DOG LICENCE FEES Annual Dog Licence Fee - Payable January 1st of each calendar year. License Fees Spayed or neutered dog $ 20.00 Unspayed or unneutered dog (including puppies) 40.00" … "Aggressive dog 200.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Fees and charges](https://www.quesnel.ca/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "| Seniors - Licence for one spayed or neutered dog | Free | Aggressive dog | $200 | Kennel Licence (4 or less dogs) | $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-992-2111 or email bylaw@quesnel.ca, or use the City Bylaw Complaint Form; you must identify yourself (no anonymous complaints). For immediate danger call 9-1-1 (RCMP).
  - Source: [Bylaw Complaint Form](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-enforcement/bylaw-complaint-form)
  - Official wording: "You must identify yourself when making the complaint; the City will not accept anonymous complaints." … "Phone: 250-992-2111" … "Email: bylaw@quesnel.ca"
  - Source: [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw - Consolidated, Animal Bylaw page FAQ](https://www.quesnel.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws-listing/animal-bird-and-insect-control-and-licensing-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Respond to nuisance or dangerous dog calls (owners may be ticketed, but animals will not be seized)" … "situations involving immediate danger will continue to be addressed through emergency response channels, including the RCMP where appropriate."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket $200 first offence, $400 second within 12 months, $800 subsequent within 12 months, for each of: aggressive dog at large, not muzzled, not enclosed, no warning signs, not permanently identified.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1774, Schedule 6 (consolidated October 18, 2024), Schedule 6, items 9-13](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/1774-mti-consolidated-2024pdf)
  - Official wording: "Aggressive dog at large" … "Aggressive dog not muzzled" … "Failure to enclose aggressive dog" … "Failure to display warning signs for aggressive dog" … "Failure to permanently identify" … "First Offence $200.00" … "Second Offence (within 12 months) $400.00" … "Subsequent Offence(s) (within 12 months) $800.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (s. 2.1, 6.1, 6.2)
  - Source: [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018), s. 1.1](https://www.quesnel.ca/sites/default/files/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws/animal-bird-insect-bylaw-2011-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw](https://www.quesnel.ca/sites/default/files/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws/animal-bird-insect-bylaw-2011-consolidated.pdf), an "aggressive dog" is one that has attacked, bitten or injured a person, bitten or killed a domestic animal, aggressively pursued or harassed a person or animal without provocation, has a known propensity to attack, was kept for dog fighting, is a "dangerous dog" under s. 49(1) of the Community Charter, or is one the Animal Control Officer considers dangerous or aggressive. A minor bite does not count. The Animal Control Officer decides.

## What the owner must do

- Keep the dog at all times (a) securely confined indoors, or (b) in an escape-proof enclosure at least 1.5 m x 3 m and 1.5 m high, at least 1 m from the property line and 5 m from a neighbouring dwelling, or (c) on a leash or tether no longer than 1.5 m, not retractable, held by a competent adult skilled in animal control.
- Muzzle the dog in a vehicle or public place.
- Get a separate aggressive-dog licence ($200 a year), within 14 days of the designation.
- Have permanent identification (for example a tattoo) and post warning signs at each driveway or entrance.

## Good to know

- Breaking these rules is a municipal ticket of $200, then $400, then $800 within 12 months, for each of: aggressive dog at large, not muzzled, not enclosed, no warning signs, not permanently identified. A court fine of $50 to $10,000 is also possible on conviction.
- To report a dog, call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-992-2111, email bylaw@quesnel.ca, or use the Bylaw Complaint Form. You must give your name; anonymous complaints are not accepted.
- For immediate danger call 9-1-1.
- For how the City handles seizure and holding now, check with the City.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/dog-licences)
- [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw 1700 (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/sites/default/files/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws/animal-bird-insect-bylaw-2011-consolidated.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Quesnel dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/dog-licence.md)
- [Quesnel dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/dog-leash-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Williams Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Vanderhoof](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Fort St James](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Valemount](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/valemount/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018) (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/sites/default/files/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws/animal-bird-insect-bylaw-2011-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licences, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/dog-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1774, Schedule 6 (consolidated October 18, 2024) (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/1774-mti-consolidated-2024pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedule D6 (consolidated December 2025) (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/master-fee-bylaw-january-1-2026pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Complaint Form, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-enforcement/bylaw-complaint-form) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Report It! Who Should You Call? (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/2023-who-call) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw - Consolidated, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/bylaws-listing/animal-bird-and-insect-control-and-licensing-bylaw) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Quesnel. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/dangerous-dogs/_