§ 3.2-6545. Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelters
Any locality that maintains or supports, in whole or in part, a public or private animal shelter may by ordinance provide that no person who acquires an animal from such shelter shall be able to sell the animal within a period of six months from the time the animal is acquired from the shelter. Violation […]
§ 3.2-6542.2. Dangerous dog fees; local fund
All fees collected by a locality pursuant to § 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, 3.2-6540.03, 3.2-6540.04, 3.2-6542, or 3.2-6542.1, less the costs incurred by the animal control officer in producing and distributing any certificate or tag required by such section and any fees due to the Department for maintenance of the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry established by […]
§ 3.2-6540. Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing
A. As used in this section, “dog” includes a hybrid canine as defined in § 3.2-6581. B. Any law-enforcement officer or animal control officer who (i) has reason to believe that an animal is a dangerous dog and (ii) is located in the jurisdiction where the animal resides or in the jurisdiction where the act […]
§ 3.2-6540.01. Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding
A. After an animal is found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to § 3.2-6540, the local animal control officer or treasurer shall provide the owner with a uniformly designed tag that identifies the animal as a dangerous dog. The owner shall affix the tag to the animal’s collar and ensure that the animal wears […]
§ 3.2-6540.02. Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty
A. Any releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption within the Commonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to § 3.2-6540 shall notify in writing the receiving party of the requirements of this section and §§ 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.03, and 3.2-6540.04. B. Any releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption outside the […]
§ 3.2-6540.03. Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty
A. If an owner of an animal previously found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to § 3.2-6540 is charged with a violation of § 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, or 3.2-6540.04, the animal control officer shall confine the dangerous dog until such time as evidence shall be heard and a verdict rendered pursuant to § 3.2-6540. […]
§ 3.2-6540.04. Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty
A. Any owner of an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to § 3.2-6540, when such finding arose out of a separate and distinct incident, is guilty of a: 1. Class 2 misdemeanor if such dog attacks and injures or kills a cat or dog that is a companion animal belonging to another […]
§ 3.2-6540.1. Vicious dogs; penalties
A. As used in this section: “Serious injury” means an injury having a reasonable potential to cause death or any injury other than a sprain or strain, including serious disfigurement, serious impairment of health, or serious impairment of bodily function and requiring significant medical attention. “Vicious dog” means a canine or canine crossbreed that has […]
§ 3.2-6541. Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs
Fairfax County may enact an ordinance that prohibits persons from training dogs on residential property to attack. As used in this section, “attack” means to attack or respond aggressively, either with or without command. Any such ordinance shall exempt from its provisions the training of dogs owned by any person who resides on the property. […]
§ 3.2-6541.1. Authority to prohibit ownership of particular breed
No locality shall prohibit the ownership of a particular breed of dog. 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.