Sechelt rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
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.
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.Dog Licences, Dog Regulation FAQ; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026), Schedule K · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWhat 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. 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 |
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| 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.Dog Licences, Dog Regulation FAQ; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026), Schedule A, Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIf a dog is deemed as Dangerous, is it allowed in the District of Sechelt? No. It must be removed of in a humane manner. Contravention of conditions for keeping an Aggressive Dog |
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026), Schedule K, Animal Control; Dog Licences, Annual Dog Licence Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingITEM 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 | 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 | |
| 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.Dog Licences, Dog Regulation FAQ; Contacts directory; Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingImmediately report it to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer or the RCMP. T: 604.885.1986 ext. 2 Bylaw Enforcement Online Complaint Form |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026), Schedule A, Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw; Dog Licences, Penalties table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous Dog $500 No Dog chase, bite or attack Contravention of conditions for keeping an $500 Yes Fail to remove a dangerous dog $300.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023 |
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 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
- Report a dangerous dog immediately to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (604-885-1986 ext. 2) or the RCMP.
- 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
The same question in other places
Gibsons · Bowen Island · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Lions Bay · West Vancouver
Sources
- Dog Licences, District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (consolidated March 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (consolidated February 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023 (PDF, scanned) (read 2026-11-06)
- Contacts directory, District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Enforcement, District of Sechelt (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. How answers are checked.