Williams Lake rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs
What are the rules for aggressive or dangerous dogs?
Short answer
Williams Lake's Animal Control Bylaw requires an aggressive dog to be licensed ($200), kept indoors, in a locked enclosure or on a short leash held by a competent adult, and muzzled in public. Report one in writing to City Bylaw Services.
Key facts
| How a dog is declared dangerous or aggressive | Aggressive dog: one that has attacked, bitten or injured a person or domestic animal, pursued or harassed anyone, was trained for dog fighting, is a 'dangerous dog', or is judged dangerous or aggressive by the Animal Control Officer. Dangerous dog (Community Charter s. 49): has killed or seriously injured a person or animal, or an officer believes it likely to.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), definitions, "aggressive dog"; Full Multi - Community Charter, Community Charter s. 49(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga dog that has attacked, bitten, or caused injury to a person a dog that is considered by the Animal Control Officer to be dangerous or aggressive on "DANGEROUS DOG" has the same meaning as defined in Section 49(1) of the Community Charter has killed or seriously injured a person, an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. |
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| Rules for owners | Keep the dog at all times either indoors, in a locked enclosure (min. 1.5 m x 3 m x 1.5 m high, 1 m from property line and 5 m from a neighbouring dwelling), or on a leash or tether of 1.5 m or less held by a competent adult; muzzle it in public places. Post 'aggressive dog on the premises' signs and permanently identify the dog (tattoo or similar). Licence it.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 22; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 22(b); Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery owner of an aggressive dog or other aggressive animal must at all times keep the securely confined indoors such that the animal cannot escape no more that 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) in length muzzled while in a public place minimum dimensions of one and one-half (1.5) metres by three (3) metres and be a minimum one and one-half (1.5) metres in height the enclosure shall not be within one (1) metre of the property line or within five (5) metres of a neighbouring dwelling unit post warning signs which give clear notice of the dog's or animal's presence ensure that an aggressive dog can be identified by way of a numeric or alphanumeric must obtain an "aggressive dog" license for an aggressive dog |
| Licence fee | $200 aggressive-dog licence.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingKennel license @ 4 or less dogs $50.00 Kennel license @ 5 or more dogs $100.00 Aggressive dog $200.00 BL2174 (24/9/13) Hen Keeping License Fee |
| How to report | Make a written complaint to City Bylaw Services with your name and phone number and the address involved (complaint link on the Bylaw Services page, or complaint form at City Hall or the Fire Hall). Phone City Hall at 250-392-2311.Bylaw Services, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingpolicy that complaints be received in writing The name and phone number of the complainant must be provided If you have an issue which requires more immediate attention, or you have a question, please contact us through the front desk at City Hall: By phone at 250-392-2311 |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $200 for an aggressive dog at large, not muzzled, not enclosed, or no warning signs ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 if paid late). $100 for not permanently identifying the aggressive dog.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAggressive Dog at Large Aggressive Dog Not Muzzled Failure to enclose aggressive dog Failure to display warning signs for aggressive $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Failure to permanently identify aggressive |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009. |
How it works
The Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw defines an "aggressive dog" as one that has attacked, bitten or injured a person or domestic animal, pursued or harassed anyone, was trained for dog fighting, is a "dangerous dog", or is judged dangerous or aggressive by the Animal Control Officer. A "dangerous dog" under section 49 of the provincial Community Charter is one that has killed or seriously injured a person or animal, or that an officer believes is likely to.
A licensed dog that becomes aggressive needs a new aggressive-dog licence within 14 days.
What the owner must do
- Keep the dog at all times either indoors, in a locked enclosure (at least 1.5 m by 3 m and 1.5 m high, 1 m from the property line and 5 m from a neighbouring dwelling), or on a leash or tether of 1.5 m or less held by a competent adult.
- Muzzle the dog in public places.
- Post "aggressive dog on the premises" signs.
- Permanently identify the dog (a tattoo or similar).
- Licence it: $200.
Good to know
- To report an aggressive dog, make a written complaint to City Bylaw Services with your name, phone number and the address involved. Use the complaint link on the Bylaw Services page, or a complaint form at City Hall or the Fire Hall, or phone City Hall at 250-392-2311. Complaints are kept confidential. The City page does not mention emergencies or the RCMP.
- Bylaw notices: $200 for an aggressive dog at large, not muzzled, not enclosed or without warning signs ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 if paid late). $100 for not permanently identifying the dog.
- Impound fees for an aggressive dog are $200 the first time, $500 the second and $1,000 the third and later in a calendar year.
- The City's copy of the bylaw is dated 2019; later changes, if any, were not seen.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
100 Mile House · Quesnel · Clearwater · Lillooet · Ashcroft · Barriere
Sources
- Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1 (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Services, City of Williams Lake (read 2026-11-05)
- Community Charter, s. 49 (BC Laws) (read 2026-11-05)
- Full Multi - Community Charter (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.