Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
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 person; or
2. Class 1 misdemeanor if such dog bites a human being or attacks a human being causing bodily injury.
B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any animal that at the time of the act complained of was responding to pain or injury, was protecting itself, its kennel, its offspring, a person, or its owner's property, or was a police dog engaged in the performance of its duties at the time of the attack.
C. The court may determine that a person convicted under this section shall be prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing on the same property with a dog.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Virginia Code Title 3.2. Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food § 3.2-6540.04. Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/va/title-3-2-agriculture-animal-care-and-food/va-code-sect-3-2-6540-04/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)