Trail rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
In the City of Trail an Animal Control Officer can designate a dog Aggressive or Vicious under the Animal Control Bylaw, with leash, microchip and, for vicious dogs, muzzle and confinement rules. "Dangerous" follows the Community Charter definition. Annual licences cost $100 (aggressive), $200 (vicious) and $500 (dangerous).
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | An Animal Control Officer may designate a dog Aggressive or Vicious and sends the owner a letter. Aggressive: unprovoked aggressive behaviour or minor injury. Vicious: repeated minor injuries, a serious injury, or likely to injure. 'Dangerous' follows the Community Charter definition.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 3, s. 9.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“Aggressive Dog” means a Dog that without provocation and in the absence of a mitigating factor: has caused a Minor injury to a Person or Domestic Animal; has caused a serious injury to a Person or Domestic Animal; “Dangerous Dog” means a Dog, as defined by the Community Charter as amended from time to time. the Animal Control Officer may designate the dog an Aggressive Dog or Vicious Dog and shall deliver a letter to the owner of the Dog advising of the designation |
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| Rules for owners | Aggressive: never at large; leash up to 1.2 m (not retractable) in public; microchip within 14 days; photo; report moves or changes within 2 business days. Vicious: all that plus muzzle in public, warning signs, and indoors or a locked 2 m enclosure.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 9.4, 9.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Owner of an Aggressive Dog must: with a maximum length of 1.2 metres from Owner to Dog Muzzle the Dog in a manner as to prevent it from being able to Bite a Person or another Domestic Animal post a clearly visible sign at all points of entry onto any premises keep the Vicious Dog securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in an Enclosure located within securely fenced premises |
| Licence fee | Aggressive dog $100 a year; vicious dog $200 a year; dangerous dog $500 a year.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor each aggressive dog – per year $100.00 For each vicious dog – per year $200.00 For each dangerous dog – per year $500.00 |
| How to report | Call Trail Bylaw Enforcement at 250-364-0833 about a dog's behaviour, or use the City's online bylaw service request form. An owner whose dog bites must give contact details or report to the Animal Control Officer within 72 hours.Dog Licensing, Dog Licensing page; Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page; Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 14.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmay call the following number and Bylaw Enforcement personnel will respond City of Trail Bylaw Enforcement Office: 250-364-0833 please use the electronic service request form above making a report about the Dog Bite or incident to the Animal Control Officer; including name |
| Fine | Bylaw notice, within 14 days / after: aggressive dog at large $100/$200; vicious dog at large $150/$300; not muzzled $150/$300; no signage $150/$300; minor injury $150/$300; serious injury $250/$500.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEARLY PAYMENT OFFENCE SECTION PENALTY (1–14 Days) Aggressive dog at large 9.4(a) $100.00 $200.00 Vicious dog at large 9.4(a) $150.00 $300.00 Fail to muzzle vicious dog 9.7(a) $150.00 $300.00 Fail to post signage 9.7(b) $150.00 $300.00 Animal cause minor injury 7.2(b) $150.00 $300.00 Animal cause serious injury 7.2(c) $250.00 $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “Animal Control Bylaw” No. 2970, 2026 |
How it works
Under the Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, an Animal Control Officer in the City of Trail may designate a dog Aggressive or Vicious and send the owner a letter. The owner may ask for reconsideration within 14 days of the letter.
- Aggressive: unprovoked aggressive behaviour or a minor injury.
- Vicious: repeated minor injuries, a serious injury, or a dog an officer reasonably believes is likely to injure.
- Dangerous: follows the Community Charter definition, and officers have the Community Charter section 49 powers over dangerous dogs.
Good to know
- Aggressive dog: never at large; on a leash of 1.2 m or less (not retractable) in public; microchip within 14 days; a photo on file; report moves or changes within 2 business days.
- Vicious dog: all of that, plus a muzzle in public, warning signs, and keeping the dog indoors or in a locked enclosure at least 2 m high, wide and long.
- An aggressive designation may be removed after one year if the conditions in s. 9.5 are met.
- Once a dog is designated, the owner must apply for the new licence at the higher annual fee.
- Bylaw notices, paid within 14 days / after: aggressive dog at large $100 / $200; vicious dog at large $150 / $300; not muzzled $150 / $300; no signage $150 / $300; minor injury $150 / $300; serious injury $250 / $500. Other lines range from $50 to $150 early. Court fines of up to $50,000 are possible.
- To report a dog, call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-364-0833 or use the City's online service request form. The City treats complainants as a confidential source. An owner whose dog bites someone must give contact details or report to the Animal Control Officer within 72 hours.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Warfield · Rossland · Montrose · Fruitvale · Castlegar · Salmo
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, City of Trail (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Dog Licensing, City of Trail (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Enforcement, City of Trail (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.