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

# Terrace rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Terrace, https://www.terrace.ca)  
**Cost:** Licence $100 a year aggressive, $200 a year dangerous (impound fees: $200 aggressive, $300 dangerous).  
**Where:**
- In person: Animal Shelter, 5003 Graham Avenue, 5003 Graham Avenue, Terrace, BC (Monday to Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
- Phone: Animal Control, 250-615-4031
- Email: Animal Control, shelter@terrace.ca

## Key facts

- **How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), s. 1.0, 10.1, 11.1](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Rules for owners:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), s. 11.2, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Licence fee:** Dangerous dog licence $200 a year; aggressive dog licence $100 a year. (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.)
  - Source: [Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), Schedule A](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control page](https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Dangerous Dog: $100.00 per year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control page](https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Please contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca."
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page](https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/departments/development-services/bylaw-enforcement)
  - Official wording: "please contact Animal Control (contact info below)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025), Schedule 3](https://www.terrace.ca/media/4139)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control Bylaw No. 2159-2019 (consolidated to Bylaw No. 2284-2023)
  - Source: [Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), title](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- At home, keep the dog inside the residence or in a secure enclosure in the rear or side yard.
- 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.
- Report a sale or giveaway within 7 days, and report an escape or bite immediately.
- A dog that bites and is not vaccinated is quarantined for 10 days at the owner's cost.
- 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).
- 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.
- To report a dog, contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (PDF)](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998)
- [Animal Control page](https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control)

## Related questions

- [Terrace dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dog-licence.md)
- [Terrace dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dog-leash-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dangerous dog rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Kitimat](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [New Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dangerous-dogs.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control, City of Terrace](https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/animal-control) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF)](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3998) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025) (PDF)](https://www.terrace.ca/media/4139) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Enforcement, City of Terrace](https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/departments/development-services/bylaw-enforcement) (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 Terrace. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dangerous-dogs/_