---
title: Sechelt rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
question: "What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Sechelt?"
place: Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sechelt
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Sechelt
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/dangerous-dogs/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/dangerous-dogs.json"
---

# Sechelt rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**Short answer:** In Sechelt, a dog deemed dangerous is not allowed in the District and must be removed humanely. Report a dangerous dog right away to Bylaw Enforcement (604-885-1986 ext. 2) or the RCMP. Aggressive and nuisance dogs carry higher licence fees of $450 and $250.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Sechelt, https://www.sechelt.ca)  
**Cost:** Aggressive dog licence $450 a year; nuisance dog licence $250 a year; no senior discount. Bylaw notices: dangerous dog $500; breaking conditions for keeping an aggressive dog $500; dog chase, bite or attack $400.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 604-885-1986 ext. 2
- Online: Bylaw Enforcement online complaint form (link on the District page), https://www.sechelt.ca/our-government/bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/
- Phone: RCMP non-emergency, 604-885-2266

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** Per the District's FAQ, a dangerous dog is one that injures or kills a person or domestic animal, tends to viciously attack without provocation, or has bitten a human or domestic animal without provocation more than once. The licence schedule also has separate 'Nuisance Dog' and 'Aggressive Dog' categories.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Regulation FAQ](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "What is a dangerous dog?" … "one which injures or kills a person or domestic animal." … "one which has a tendency to viciously attack without provocation." … "one which has bitten a human or domestic animal without provocation more than once."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026), Schedule K](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/ojid540n/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Altered Dog (Neutered/Spayed) $25/ea $10/ea Licence Tag Replacement $10 $5 Nuisance Dog No Discount $250 Aggressive Dog No Discount" … "Licence Tag Replacement $10 $5 Nuisance Dog No Discount $250 Aggressive Dog No Discount $450 Registered Service Dog No Fee No Fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** A dog deemed dangerous is not allowed in the District and must be removed in a humane manner. Conditions for keeping an aggressive dog are in Bylaw 611 s. 6.4 (items a to e); their wording could not be read.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Regulation FAQ](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "If a dog is deemed as Dangerous, is it allowed in the District of Sechelt?" … "No. It must be removed of in a humane manner."
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026), Schedule A, Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Contravention of conditions for keeping an" … "Aggressive Dog"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Aggressive dog licence $450 a year; nuisance dog licence $250 a year; no senior discount. (Sources differ: The District's web page shows $400 (aggressive) and $200 (nuisance); the Fees and Charges Bylaw consolidated March 2026 says $450 and $250. Bylaw followed.)
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026), Schedule K, Animal Control](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/ojid540n/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ITEM FEE SENIOR FEE Unaltered Dog (Unneutered/Unspayed) $50/ea $30/ea Altered Dog (Neutered/Spayed) $25/ea $10/ea Licence Tag Replacement $10 $5 Nuisance Dog No Discount $250 Aggressive Dog No Discount $450 Registered Service Dog No Fee No Fee IMPOUNDMENT The following are the fees to be paid prior to the release of an impounded animal. UNLICENCED DOGS FEE"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Annual Dog Licence Fees](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "| Nuisance Dog | $200.00 | Aggressive Dog | $400.00 | Replacement for lost dog tag |" … "| $200.00 | Aggressive Dog | $400.00 | Replacement for lost dog tag | $10.00 |"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Immediately report it to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer or the RCMP. Bylaw Enforcement: 604.885.1986 ext. 2; complaints can also be sent through the District's online bylaw complaint form.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Regulation FAQ](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Immediately report it to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer or the RCMP."
  - Source: [Contacts directory](https://www.sechelt.ca/contacts-directory/)
  - Official wording: "T: 604.885.1986 ext. 2"
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page](https://www.sechelt.ca/our-government/bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw Enforcement Online Complaint Form"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notices (Bylaw 611): dangerous dog $500 (s. 3.2); breaking conditions for keeping an aggressive dog $500 (s. 6.4); dog chase, bite or attack $400 (s. 5.3(a)). The web page lists $300 for failing to remove a dangerous dog. (Sources differ: Bylaw Notice Enforcement schedule consolidated February 2026; no early or late amounts. The page figure differs from the schedule; schedule followed.)
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026), Schedule A, Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous Dog $500 No" … "Dog chase, bite or attack" … "Contravention of conditions for keeping an" … "$500 Yes"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Penalties table](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Fail to remove a dangerous dog" … "$300.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The District's FAQ describes a dangerous dog as one that injures or kills a person or domestic animal, tends to viciously attack without provocation, or has bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation more than once. The licence schedule also has separate Nuisance Dog and Aggressive Dog categories. The [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 611](<https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rx3lr4ph/611-2023-animal-control-and-licensing-bylaw.pdf>) is a scan, so its definitions, who makes the declaration, and the conditions for keeping an aggressive dog (s. 6.4) could not be read.

## Steps

1. Report a dangerous dog immediately to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (604-885-1986 ext. 2) or the RCMP.
2. You can also use the District's online bylaw complaint form.

## Good to know

- A dog deemed dangerous is not allowed in the District and must be removed in a humane manner.
- Licences cost $450 a year for an aggressive dog and $250 for a nuisance dog, with no senior discount. The District's web page shows $400 and $200; the Fees and Charges Bylaw says $450 and $250, so confirm with the District.
- Bylaw notices: dangerous dog $500, breaking the conditions for keeping an aggressive dog $500, and a dog chase, bite or attack $400. The web page lists $300 for failing to remove a dangerous dog, which differs from the schedule.
- We could not confirm any muzzle, enclosure, sign or handler-age requirement. Ask Bylaw Enforcement.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026) (PDF)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/ojid540n/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026) (PDF)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf)
- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023 (PDF, scanned)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rx3lr4ph/611-2023-animal-control-and-licensing-bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/living-here/pets-and-wildlife/dog-licences/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026) (PDF)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/ojid540n/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026) (PDF)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023 (PDF, scanned)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rx3lr4ph/611-2023-animal-control-and-licensing-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contacts directory, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/contacts-directory/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Enforcement, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/our-government/bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of Sechelt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/dangerous-dogs/_