Quesnel rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
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.
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.Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018), s. 2.1 "Aggressive Dog"; s. 5.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA 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. |
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| 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.Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018), s. 6.1, 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingsecurely 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 |
| Licence fee | The annual aggressive dog licence is $200.Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedule D6 (consolidated December 2025); Dog Licences, Fees and charges · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDOG 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 | Seniors - Licence for one spayed or neutered dog | Free | Aggressive dog | $200 | Kennel Licence (4 or less dogs) | $50 |
| 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).Bylaw Complaint Form; Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw - Consolidated, Animal Bylaw page FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYou must identify yourself when making the complaint; the City will not accept anonymous complaints. Phone: 250-992-2111 Email: bylaw@quesnel.ca 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. |
| 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.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1774, Schedule 6 (consolidated October 18, 2024), Schedule 6, items 9-13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAggressive 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 |
| Bylaw | Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (s. 2.1, 6.1, 6.2)Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700. |
How it works
Under the Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw, 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
The same question in other places
Williams Lake · Prince George · Vanderhoof · 100 Mile House · Fort St James · Valemount
Sources
- Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1700 (consolidated June 22, 2018) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Dog Licences, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1774, Schedule 6 (consolidated October 18, 2024) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedule D6 (consolidated December 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Complaint Form, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Report It! Who Should You Call? (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal, Bird and Insect Control and Licensing Bylaw - Consolidated, City of Quesnel (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. How answers are checked.