Terrace rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
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.
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.Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), s. 1.0, 10.1, 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAggressive 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 |
|---|---|
| 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.Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), s. 11.2, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmust 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 |
| 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.Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), Schedule A; Animal Control, Animal Control page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingii. 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 Dangerous Dog: $100.00 per year |
| How to report | Contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca.Animal Control, Animal Control page; Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease contact Animal Control at 250-615-4031 or shelter@terrace.ca. please contact Animal Control (contact info below). |
| 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.Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025), Schedule 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDangerous 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 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 2159-2019 (consolidated to Bylaw No. 2284-2023)Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAND 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." |
How it works
Under Animal Control Bylaw 2159, 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
The same question in other places
Kitimat · New Hazelton · Smithers · Telkwa · Port Edward · Prince Rupert
Sources
- Animal Control, City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Consolidated Bylaw 2159 (to Bylaw 2284-2023) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Enforcement, City of Terrace (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. How answers are checked.