{"title":"Terrace rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","question":"What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?","slug":"dangerous-dogs","place":{"path":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Terrace","url":"https://www.terrace.ca"},"short_answer":"In Terrace the Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog is declared aggressive or dangerous. Owners then need a special licence ($100 a year aggressive, $200 dangerous) and must keep the dog secured; a dangerous dog must also be muzzled and leashed off the property, with warning signs posted.","aliases":["aggressive dog terrace","dangerous dog licence","dog bite rules"],"cost":"Licence $100 a year aggressive, $200 a year dangerous (impound fees: $200 aggressive, $300 dangerous).","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Animal Shelter, 5003 Graham Avenue","value":"5003 Graham Avenue, Terrace, BC","note":"Monday to Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Animal Control","value":"250-615-4031"},{"type":"email","label":"Animal Control","value":"shelter@terrace.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998"},{"title":"Animal Control page","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Terrace dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Terrace dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dog-leash-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-hazelton","name":"New Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/dangerous-dogs/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-rupert","name":"Prince Rupert","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dangerous-dogs/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs/"},"facts":{"how_declared":{"label":"How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive","value":"The Animal Control Officer decides, at their discretion. Dangerous dog: has killed or seriously injured a person; or a domestic animal in a public place or on property not owned or occupied by the dog's person; or is likely to, in the officer's reasonable belief. Aggressive dog: attacked, bit, or tried to, as the officer determines.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998","title":"Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF)","section":"s. 1.0, 10.1, 11.1","quotes":["Aggressive Dog means a dog that has attacked bitten or caused injury or","Dangerous Dog means a dog that:","The Animal Control Officer may, at their discretion, declare and record a","dog as a dangerous dog.","has killed or seriously injured a person,","b. has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal, while in a public place or","while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the","an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"owner_rules":{"label":"Rules for owners","value":"Get a dangerous (or aggressive) dog licence. At home, keep the dog inside the residence or in a rear or side yard in a secure enclosure. Away from home, a dangerous dog must be muzzled and on a secure leash held by a responsible person 19 or older (or in a locked vehicle or enclosure). Post warning signs for a dangerous dog. Report a sale within 7 days, and report an escape or bite immediately.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998","title":"Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF)","section":"s. 11.2, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8","quotes":["must obtain a dangerous dog licence.","it must be muzzled","19 years of age or older","within seven (7) days if the dog is sold or given away.","must post on the property where the dog","warning signs that a dangerous dog is being kept on the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Licence fee","value":"Dangerous dog licence $200 a year; aggressive dog licence $100 a year.","short":"Dangerous $200 a year; aggressive $100","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998","title":"Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["ii. Non-neutered male or non-spayed female $50.00 $25.00 iii. Aggressive Dog $100.00 iv. Dangerous Dog $200.00 v. Guide Dog $0 vi. Police Services Dog $0"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Terrace","section":"Animal Control page","quotes":["Dangerous Dog: $100.00 per year"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's Animal Control web page lists Dangerous Dog $100 per year, which matches the bylaw's fee for an aggressive dog. The bylaw (Schedule A, as amended) says dangerous $200. Impound fees: aggressive $200, dangerous $300."},"report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Terrace","section":"Animal Control page","quotes":["Please contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca."]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/departments/development-services/bylaw-enforcement","title":"Bylaw Enforcement, City of Terrace","section":"Bylaw Enforcement page","quotes":["please contact Animal Control (contact info below)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal tickets: declared dangerous dog $300; no dangerous dog licence $200; dangerous dog not secured on owner's property $200; not muzzled and on a leash $200; no warning signs $100. Aggressive dog: $200; no licence $100; not secured $100; not on a leash $100.","short":"Ticket $300 dangerous; $200 aggressive","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4139","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025) (PDF)","section":"Schedule 3","quotes":["Dangerous Dog.","$300.00","Failing to obtain Dangerous Dog Licence","Dangerous Dog not properly muzzled and on a leash","Failure to Post Dangerous Dog warnings on property"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2159-2019 (consolidated to Bylaw No. 2284-2023)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998","title":"Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["AND AMENDMENTS THERETO UP TO & INCLUDING BYLAW #2284-2023 BYLAW NO. 2159-2019/2284-2023 \"A BYLAW TO PROVIDE FOR REGULATING, LICENCING, AND CONTROL OF ANIMALS WITHIN THE CITY OF TERRACE.\""]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder [Animal Control Bylaw 2159](<https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998>), the Animal Control Officer decides, at their discretion, whether to declare and record a dog as aggressive or dangerous. An aggressive dog has attacked, bitten or tried to, as the officer determines. A dangerous dog has killed or seriously injured a person, or a domestic animal in a public place or on property not owned or occupied by the dog's person, or the officer reasonably believes it is likely to.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Get a dangerous (or aggressive) dog licence. The bylaw sets $200 a year for dangerous and $100 for aggressive. The City's Animal Control web page lists Dangerous Dog at $100, so confirm with Animal Control.\n- At home, keep the dog inside the residence or in a secure enclosure in the rear or side yard.\n- Away from home, a dangerous dog must be muzzled and on a secure leash held by a responsible person 19 or older (or be in a locked vehicle or enclosure). Post warning signs on the property. Aggressive dogs have similar rules but no muzzle or sign requirement.\n- Report a sale or giveaway within 7 days, and report an escape or bite immediately.\n- A dog that bites and is not vaccinated is quarantined for 10 days at the owner's cost.\n- The officer may seize a dangerous dog and apply to BC Provincial Court for a destruction order. An owner may apply to be removed from the record after 18 months (aggressive) or 36 months (dangerous).\n- Municipal tickets: declared dangerous dog $300; no dangerous dog licence $200; dangerous dog not secured on owner's property $200; not muzzled and on a leash $200; no warning signs $100. Aggressive dog: $200; no licence $100; not secured $100; not on a leash $100.\n- To report a dog, contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998","title":"Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4139","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/departments/development-services/bylaw-enforcement","title":"Bylaw Enforcement, City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dangerous-dogs/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dangerous-dogs.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dangerous-dogs.json"}}