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

# Richmond rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Richmond, a "dangerous dog" is defined in Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932, including dogs that have hurt a person or animal and certain pit bull breeds. Off its property it must be muzzled and on a leash no longer than 1.2 metres. At home it must be securely confined.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Richmond, https://www.richmond.ca)  
**Cost:** Dangerous dog licence: $275 spayed or neutered ($208 before March 1; $104 for owners 65 or older before March 1), $340 not spayed or neutered ($275 before March 1). Impound $689 first time in a calendar year, $1,347 after that, plus $35 a day.  
**Where:**
- Phone: BC SPCA Richmond Animal Services (report a bite or aggressive dog), 604-709-4668 (Phone line open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, including statutory holidays. After hours, RCMP non-emergency 604-278-1212. Attack in progress, call 9-1-1.)
- Email: BC SPCA Richmond Animal Services, RichmondAnimalServices@spca.bc.ca
- Phone: Dog Licences, 604-247-4633

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** A dog is 'dangerous' by definition. It includes a dog that has killed or injured a person, or a companion or domestic animal while running at large; one an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person; one that aggressively harasses or pursues a person or animal at large; a dog owned or trained for fighting; a Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, a cross of those, or a dog that looks predominantly like them; or a dog the SPCA, RCMP or another municipality has recorded as having killed, injured or aggressively harassed.
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 1 Interpretation (Dangerous Dog)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "any dog that has killed or injured:" … "reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person;" … "any dog owned, primarily or in part, for the purpose of dog fighting or that is trained for dog fighting;" … "a Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull," … "Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or" … "according to the records of the SPCA, RCMP or"
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 8.3.6](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "an Animal Control Officer may seize a dog if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that the dog is a dangerous dog."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** Off the owner's property the dog must be on a leash no longer than 1.2 m, muzzled, and under the control of an owner 19 or older. At home it must be securely confined at all times, indoors or in a locked enclosure (concrete, asphalt or wooden floor; wire or steel mesh sides and roof). It may never be off leash in an off-leash area. If found at large it can be impounded and quarantined for 14 days at the owner's expense.
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 2.3.4.2, 2.3.5.2(b), 8.3.4, definitions](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "on a leash not longer than 1.2 metres; and" … "under the care and control of an owner who is 19 years of" … "keep such dangerous dog securely confined at all times, either indoors or in an" … "No owner may permit a dangerous dog to be off-leash in a" … "must be kept quarantined at the animal shelter for a period of 14 days at" … "means a securely enclosed and locked structure having a"
  - Source: [Information for Dog Owners brochure, p. 2](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/dog_owners_info11507.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous dog owners must:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Annual dangerous dog licence: spayed or neutered $275 ($208 if paid before March 1; $104 for owners 65 or older before March 1); not spayed or neutered $340 ($275 before March 1). Impoundment fees for a dangerous dog: $689 first time in a calendar year, $1,347 second and later times, plus maintenance of $35 a day.
  - Source: [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule - Dog Licencing; Animal Control](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous Dog – Not neutered or spayed Normal Fee $340.00" … "Prior to March 1st of the year for which the application is made $275.00" … "Dangerous Dog – Neutered or spayed Normal Fee $275.00" … "Prior to March 1st of the year for which the application is made $208.00" … "Dangerous Dog* $689.00" … "Dangerous Dog* $1,347.00" … "Dangerous Dog $35.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Licence Fees](https://www.richmond.ca/services/animals/dogs.htm)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous dogs spayed or neutered Rate"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Call the BC SPCA Richmond Animal Services at 604-709-4668 (phone line open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, including statutory holidays), or email RichmondAnimalServices@spca.bc.ca, to report a dog bite, a dog off leash or running at large, or an aggressive dog. After hours call the RCMP non-emergency line at 604-278-1212. For a dog attack in progress call 9-1-1.
  - Source: [Animal Regulations, Animal Enquiries, Concerns & Investigations](https://www.richmond.ca/services/animals/regulations.htm)
  - Official wording: "follow-up on a dog bite, barking dog investigation and all other emergencies, contact:" … "RichmondAnimalServices@spca.bc.ca 604-709-4668 Phone line hours: Mon-Sun, 7:00am-9:00pm" … "Phone line hours: Mon-Sun, 7:00am-9:00pm including Statutory holidays." … "After hours, call the RCMP Non-Emergency line at 604-278-1212."
  - Source: [Information for Dog Owners brochure, p. 1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/dog_owners_info11507.pdf)
  - Official wording: "To report a dog attack in progress, call 9-1-1."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw 8122 Schedule A): $500 for failing to control or confine a dangerous dog, or failing to deliver one to an Animal Control Officer ($450 if paid within 28 days; $525 if paid after 60 days). Letting a dangerous dog off leash in an off-leash area: $300 ($275 early; $325 late). Unlicensed dangerous dog: $500. Animal that killed or injured a person or animal: $200; that aggressively pursued or harassed: $150.
  - Source: [Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Failure of owner to control a dangerous dog 2.3.4.2(a) No $ 500.00 $ 450.00 $ 525.00 n/a" … "Failure of owner to confine a dangerous dog 2.3.4.2(b) No $ 500.00 $ 450.00 $ 525.00 n/a" … "Permitting a dangerous dog off leash in a 2.3.5.2(b) No $ 300.00 $ 275.00 $ 325.00 n/a" … "Failure by owner to deliver a dangerous dog 8.3.4(b) No $500.00 $450.00 $525.00 n/a" … "Animal has killed or injured a person or animal 1.1.2(a) No $ 200.00 $ 175.00 $ 225.00 n/a" … "Animal has aggressively pursued or harassed 1.1.2(b) No $ 150.00 $ 125.00 $175.00 n/a"
  - Source: [Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1.1.1(a) No $ 500.00 $ 450.00 $ 525.00 n/a dangerous dog"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 7932 (rules); Dog Licencing Bylaw No. 7138 (licence); fees in Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATION BYLAW NO. 7932"
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw__7138__10231748842.pdf)
  - Official wording: "DOG LICENCING BYLAW NO. 7138"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf) defines a dangerous dog. It includes a dog that has killed or injured a person, or a companion or domestic animal while running at large. It also includes a dog an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person, one that aggressively harasses or pursues a person or animal at large, and one owned or trained for fighting. Pit Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, crosses of those, and dogs that look predominantly like them are included. So is a dog the SPCA, RCMP or another municipality has recorded as having killed, injured or aggressively harassed.

## Steps

1. Off your property, keep the dog on a leash no longer than 1.2 metres, muzzled, and under the control of an owner aged 19 or older.
2. At home, keep it securely confined at all times, indoors or in a locked enclosure (concrete, asphalt or wooden floor; wire or steel mesh sides and roof).
3. Licence it at the dangerous dog rate (see the dog licence answer).
4. Never let it off leash in an off-leash area.

## Good to know

- A dog found at large can be impounded and quarantined for 14 days at the owner's expense.
- Before seizing a dog that bit or injured, the officer must consider whether the dog was preventing an unlawful act or doing law-enforcement work. An officer can apply to Provincial Court for an order that a dangerous dog be destroyed.
- The City's pages do not describe an appeal process, and no signage or insurance requirement was found in the bylaws. Ask Animal Protection Services.
- Bylaw notices: $500 for failing to control or confine a dangerous dog, or to deliver one to an Animal Control Officer ($450 if paid within 28 days, $525 after 60 days). Off leash in an off-leash area is $300 ($275 early, $325 late). Unlicensed dangerous dog is $500. An animal that killed or injured a person or animal is $200; one that aggressively pursued or harassed is $150.
- Maintenance during impound is $35 for each day or part of a day.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
- [Information for Dog Owners brochure (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/dog_owners_info11507.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Richmond dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dog-licence.md)
- [Richmond dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation) (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw__7138__10231748842.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Information for Dog Owners brochure (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/dog_owners_info11507.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licences, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/animals/dogs.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Regulations, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/animals/regulations.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf) (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 Richmond. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dangerous-dogs/_