{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6540.02.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6540.02.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6540.02.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6540.02.html"}],"law_id":61898,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61898,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.","full_text":"A\n\nAny releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption within the Commonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540 shall notify in writing the receiving party of the requirements of this section and &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.03, and 3.2-6540.04.B\n\nAny releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption outside the Commonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540 shall notify the appropriate animal control officer in the receiving jurisdiction that the animal has been so adjudicated.C\n\nAny owner of an animal found to be a dangerous dog in another state shall, upon bringing such animal to reside within the Commonwealth, notify the animal control officer of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides that the animal has been so adjudicated.D\n\nAny owner who disposes by surrender to a releasing agency, gift, sale, transfer, or trade of an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540 shall notify the receiver in writing that the animal has been so adjudicated. A violation of this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":226020,"text":"Any releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption within the Commonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540 shall notify in writing the receiving party of the requirements of this section and &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.03, and 3.2-6540.04.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":226021,"text":"Any releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption outside the Commonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540 shall notify the appropriate animal control officer in the receiving jurisdiction that the animal has been so adjudicated.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":226022,"text":"Any owner of an animal found to be a dangerous dog in another state shall, upon bringing such animal to reside within the Commonwealth, notify the animal control officer of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides that the animal has been so adjudicated.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":226023,"text":"Any owner who disposes by surrender to a releasing agency, gift, sale, transfer, or trade of an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540 shall notify the receiver in writing that the animal has been so adjudicated. A violation of this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13171,"edition_id":1,"name":"Authority of Local Governing Bodies","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198807,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13171,"identifier":"6","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13170,"edition_id":1,"name":"Comprehensive Animal Care","identifier":"65","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13169,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198459,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13170,"identifier":"65","token":"3.2\/V\/65","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13169,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Animals","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12793,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13169,"identifier":"V","token":"3.2\/V","url":"\/3.2\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12793,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":193939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12793,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81839,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537","catch_line":"Ordinances; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6537\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537","metadata":false},{"id":74955,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537.1","catch_line":"Cash bond for a pet shop obtaining certain dogs","url":"\/3.2-6537.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537.1","metadata":false},{"id":75887,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6538","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6538\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6538","metadata":false},{"id":54470,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6539","catch_line":"Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash","url":"\/3.2-6539\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6539","metadata":false},{"id":86290,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","url":"\/3.2-6540\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540","metadata":false},{"id":78978,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.01","metadata":false},{"id":61898,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.02","metadata":false},{"id":76550,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","metadata":false},{"id":54186,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.04","catch_line":"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.04\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.04","metadata":false},{"id":82525,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.1","catch_line":"Vicious dogs; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6540.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.1","metadata":false},{"id":64609,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6541","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs","url":"\/3.2-6541\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541","metadata":false},{"id":67596,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6541.1","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit ownership of particular breed","url":"\/3.2-6541.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541.1","metadata":false},{"id":60877,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542","catch_line":"Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry","url":"\/3.2-6542\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542","metadata":false},{"id":71489,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542.1","catch_line":"Renewal of dangerous dog registration","url":"\/3.2-6542.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.1","metadata":false},{"id":81226,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542.2","catch_line":"Dangerous dog fees; local fund","url":"\/3.2-6542.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.2","metadata":false},{"id":78689,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6543","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances","url":"\/3.2-6543\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543","metadata":false},{"id":66579,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6543.1","catch_line":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543.1","metadata":false},{"id":64002,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6544","catch_line":"Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl","url":"\/3.2-6544\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6544","metadata":false},{"id":65760,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6545","catch_line":"Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelters","url":"\/3.2-6545\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6545","metadata":false},{"id":84667,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6546\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6546","metadata":false},{"id":73172,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6547","catch_line":"Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition","url":"\/3.2-6547\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6547","metadata":false},{"id":83344,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6548","catch_line":"Private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6548\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6548","metadata":false},{"id":86437,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6549","catch_line":"Releasing agencies other than public or private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of companion animals; recordkeeping; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6549\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6549","metadata":false},{"id":85287,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6550","catch_line":"Requirements for foster homes; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6550\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6550","metadata":false},{"id":67608,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6551","catch_line":"Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6551\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6551","metadata":false},{"id":76046,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6552","catch_line":"Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry","url":"\/3.2-6552\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6552","metadata":false},{"id":74206,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6553","catch_line":"Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs","url":"\/3.2-6553\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6553","metadata":false},{"id":68901,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6554","catch_line":"Disposal of dead companion animals","url":"\/3.2-6554\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6554","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":78978,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.01","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76550,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6540.02\/","history_text":false,"references":[{"id":86290,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540\/"},{"id":76550,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/"},{"id":71489,"section_number":"3.2-6542.1","catch_line":"Renewal of dangerous dog registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6542.1\/"},{"id":81226,"section_number":"3.2-6542.2","catch_line":"Dangerous dog fees; local fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6542.2\/"},{"id":66579,"section_number":"3.2-6543.1","catch_line":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86290,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540\/"},{"id":78978,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/"},{"id":76550,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198833,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61898,"identifier":"3.2-6540.02","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.02","url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.02","dublin_core":{"Title":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6540.02","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">releasing agency<\/span> transferring or releasing for <span class=\"dictionary\">adoption<\/span> within the Commonwealth an <span class=\"dictionary\">animal<\/span> found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing\" href=\"\/3.2-6540\/\">3.2-6540<\/a> shall notify in writing the receiving <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> of the requirements of this section and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing\" href=\"\/3.2-6540\/\">3.2-6540<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.01\/\">3.2-6540.01<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.03\/\">3.2-6540.03<\/a>, and <a class=\"law\" title=\"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.04\/\">3.2-6540.04<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-226020\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-6540.02\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">releasing agency<\/span> transferring or releasing for <span class=\"dictionary\">adoption<\/span> outside the Commonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing\" href=\"\/3.2-6540\/\">3.2-6540<\/a> shall notify the appropriate <span class=\"dictionary\">animal control officer<\/span> in the receiving <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> that the animal has been so adjudicated. <a id=\"paragraph-226021\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-6540.02\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> of an animal found to be a dangerous dog in another state shall, upon bringing such animal to reside within the Commonwealth, notify the <span class=\"dictionary\">animal control officer<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> in which the <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> resides that the animal has been so adjudicated. <a id=\"paragraph-226022\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-6540.02\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> who disposes by surrender to a <span class=\"dictionary\">releasing agency<\/span>, gift, sale, transfer, or trade of an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing\" href=\"\/3.2-6540\/\">3.2-6540<\/a> shall notify the receiver in writing that the animal has been so adjudicated. A violation of this subsection is a Class 3 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-226023\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-6540.02\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNOTICE OF DANGEROUS DOG FINDING; PENALTY (\u00a7 3.2-6540.02)\n\nA. Any releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption within the\nCommonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540\nshall notify in writing the receiving party of the requirements of this section\nand &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.03, and 3.2-6540.04.\n\nB. Any releasing agency transferring or releasing for adoption outside the\nCommonwealth an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7; 3.2-6540\nshall notify the appropriate animal control officer in the receiving\njurisdiction that the animal has been so adjudicated.\n\nC. Any owner of an animal found to be a dangerous dog in another state shall,\nupon bringing such animal to reside within the Commonwealth, notify the animal\ncontrol officer of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides that the animal\nhas been so adjudicated.\n\nD. Any owner who disposes by surrender to a releasing agency, gift, sale,\ntransfer, or trade of an animal found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7;\n3.2-6540 shall notify the receiver in writing that the animal has been so\nadjudicated. A violation of this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}