Tofino rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs in Tofino?
Short answer
In Tofino, the animal bylaw defines "dangerous" and "vicious" dogs. A vicious dog must be muzzled in public or kept indoors or in a locked enclosure. To report a dog, contact Bylaw Services at 250-725-3229 ext. 706. For immediate danger call 911.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | The bylaw defines a 'dangerous dog' as one that has killed or seriously injured, or is likely to kill or seriously injure, a person (or has killed or seriously injured a domestic or companion animal off the owner's property). A 'vicious dog' has a known tendency to attack without provocation, or has bitten a person or animal without provocation.Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 2 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingincludes a dog that has, or is likely to kill or seriously injure a person any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, without provocation, other domestic animals or humans any dog which has bitten another domestic animal or a human without provocation |
|---|---|
| Rules for owners | A vicious dog must be effectively muzzled in any public place or on a highway. Otherwise it must be kept indoors or in a securely closed and locked enclosure. A dog that bites a person or companion animal and is not immunized against rabies is impounded under quarantine for 10 days.Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 10(a), (c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe owner of a vicious dog shall ensure that such dog is not on a highway or any public place unless effectively muzzled such dog shall be kept indoors or within a securely closed and locked enclosure. the dog shall be impounded under quarantine for ten (10) days for observation by the Animal Control Officer. |
| Licence fee | None set. Tofino has no separate licence fee for a dangerous or vicious dog. |
| How to report | Report to Bylaw Services: online complaint form (anonymous complaints are not accepted), phone 250-725-3229 ext. 706 (office) or 250-266-1674 (on-duty officer). For immediate danger call 911 or the RCMP non-emergency line, 250-725-3242.Bylaw Services, Bylaw Services page; Bylaw Complaints, Bylaw Complaints page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording250-725-3229 ext. 706 (Office) 250-266-1674 (On-Duty Officer) Anonymous complaints are not accepted Please contact Emergency Services by calling 911 or the RCMP non-emergency line at 250-725-3242 |
| Fine | Vicious dog not confined or muzzled (s. 10(a)): bylaw notice $100 ($80 within 14 days; $120 after 60 days); municipal ticket $100 ($50 if paid within 7 business days).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1107 (consolidated), Schedule A (Animal Control Bylaw 10(a)); Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1088 (consolidated), Schedule 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingVicious Dog Not Confined or Muzzled 10(a) Yes $100 $80 $120 50% Vicious Dog Not Confined or Muzzled 10(a) $100.00 Fines as set out in all Schedules with the exception of Schedule 7 are reduced by 50% if the fine is paid within 7 business days of the date of issuance of the Municipal Ticketing Information. |
| Bylaw | District of Tofino Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Tofino Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 |
How it works
The Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866 defines two kinds of dog. A "dangerous dog" has killed or seriously injured, or is likely to kill or seriously injure, a person, or has killed or seriously injured a domestic or companion animal off the owner's property. A "vicious dog" has a known tendency to attack without provocation, or has bitten a person or animal without provocation. The bylaw does not set out a formal declaration process or say who decides.
Good to know
- A vicious dog must be effectively muzzled in any public place or on a highway. Otherwise it must be kept indoors or in a securely closed and locked enclosure.
- A dog that bites a person or companion animal and is not immunized against rabies is impounded under quarantine for 10 days.
- An Animal Control Officer may apply to Provincial Court for a destruction order for a dangerous dog.
- There is no separate licence fee for a dangerous or vicious dog.
- To report a dog, use the online complaint form (anonymous complaints are not accepted) or call Bylaw Services at 250-725-3229 ext. 706 or the on-duty officer at 250-266-1674. For immediate danger call 911 or the RCMP non-emergency line, 250-725-3242.
- A vicious dog not confined or muzzled: a bylaw notice is $100 ($80 within 14 days; $120 after 60 days). A municipal ticket is $100 ($50 if paid within 7 business days).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Ucluelet · Port Alberni · Cumberland · Courtenay · Comox · Campbell River
Sources
- Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Services, District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Complaints, District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1107 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1088 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.