{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6540.03.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6540.03.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6540.03.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6540.03.html"}],"law_id":76550,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76550,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464; 2024, c. 145.","full_text":"A\n\nIf 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. Unless good cause is determined by the court, such evidentiary hearing shall be held within 30 days or as soon as practicable of the issuance of the summons. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel the owner of the animal to produce the animal.B\n\nUpon conviction, the court may (i) order the dangerous dog to be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562 or (ii) grant the owner up to 30 days to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540.01, during which time the dangerous dog shall remain in the custody of the animal control officer until compliance has been verified. If the owner fails to achieve compliance within the time specified by the court, the court shall order the dangerous dog to be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562. The court may order the owner to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in caring and providing for such dangerous dog from the time the animal is taken into custody until such time that the animal is disposed of or returned to the owner.C\n\nAny owner of a dangerous dog who is charged with a violation pursuant to subsection A and is found to have willfully failed to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, or 3.2-6540.04 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The court may determine that a person convicted under this subsection shall be prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing on the same property with a dog.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":274799,"text":"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. Unless good cause is determined by the court, such evidentiary hearing shall be held within 30 days or as soon as practicable of the issuance of the summons. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel the owner of the animal to produce the animal.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":274800,"text":"Upon conviction, the court may (i) order the dangerous dog to be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562 or (ii) grant the owner up to 30 days to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540.01, during which time the dangerous dog shall remain in the custody of the animal control officer until compliance has been verified. If the owner fails to achieve compliance within the time specified by the court, the court shall order the dangerous dog to be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562. The court may order the owner to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in caring and providing for such dangerous dog from the time the animal is taken into custody until such time that the animal is disposed of or returned to the owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":274801,"text":"Any owner of a dangerous dog who is charged with a violation pursuant to subsection A and is found to have willfully failed to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, or 3.2-6540.04 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The court may determine that a person convicted under this subsection shall be prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing on the same property with a dog.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6540.03\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapter 145<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86290,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540\/"},{"id":61898,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/"},{"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":61898,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/"},{"id":54186,"section_number":"3.2-6540.04","catch_line":"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.04\/"},{"id":86859,"section_number":"3.2-6562","catch_line":"Capturing, confining, and euthanizing companion animals by animal control officers; approval of drugs used","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6562\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198837,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76550,"identifier":"3.2-6540.03","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","dublin_core":{"Title":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6540.03","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> If an owner<\/span> of an animal previously found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to § 3.2-6540<\/a> is charged with a violation of § 3.2-6540<\/a>, 3.2-6540.01<\/a>, 3.2-6540.02<\/a>, or 3.2-6540.04<\/a>, the animal control officer<\/span> shall confine the dangerous dog until such time as evidence<\/span> shall be heard and a verdict<\/span> rendered pursuant to § 3.2-6540<\/a>. Unless good cause is determined by the court<\/span>, such evidentiary hearing<\/span> shall be held within 30 days or as soon as practicable of the issuance of the summons<\/span>. The court<\/span>, through its contempt<\/span> powers, may compel the owner<\/span> of the animal to produce the animal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon conviction<\/span>, the court<\/span> may (i) order<\/span> the dangerous dog to be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562<\/a> or (ii) grant the owner<\/span> up to 30 days to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540.01<\/a>, during which time the dangerous dog shall remain in the custody<\/span> of the animal control officer<\/span> until compliance has been verified. If the owner<\/span> fails to achieve compliance within the time specified by the court<\/span>, the court<\/span> shall order<\/span> the dangerous dog to be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562<\/a>. The court<\/span> may order<\/span> the owner<\/span> to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in caring and providing for such dangerous dog from the time the animal is taken into custody<\/span> until such time that the animal is disposed of or returned to the owner<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any owner<\/span> of a dangerous dog who is charged with a violation pursuant to subsection A and is found to have willfully failed to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540<\/a>, 3.2-6540.01<\/a>, 3.2-6540.02<\/a>, or 3.2-6540.04<\/a> is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. The court<\/span> may determine that a person convicted under this subsection shall be prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing on the same property with a dog. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVIOLATION OF LAW BY OWNER OF DANGEROUS DOG; PENALTY (\u00a7 3.2-6540.03)\n\nA. If an owner of an animal previously found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to\n§ 3.2-6540 is charged with a violation of § 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01,\n3.2-6540.02, or 3.2-6540.04, the animal control officer shall confine the\ndangerous dog until such time as evidence shall be heard and a verdict rendered\npursuant to § 3.2-6540. Unless good cause is determined by the court, such\nevidentiary hearing shall be held within 30 days or as soon as practicable of\nthe issuance of the summons. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel\nthe owner of the animal to produce the animal.\n\nB. Upon conviction, the court may (i) order the dangerous dog to be disposed of\nby a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562 or (ii) grant the owner up\nto 30 days to comply with the requirements of § 3.2-6540.01, during which\ntime the dangerous dog shall remain in the custody of the animal control officer\nuntil compliance has been verified. If the owner fails to achieve compliance\nwithin the time specified by the court, the court shall order the dangerous dog\nto be disposed of by a local governing body pursuant to § 3.2-6562. The\ncourt may order the owner to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in caring and\nproviding for such dangerous dog from the time the animal is taken into custody\nuntil such time that the animal is disposed of or returned to the owner.\n\nC. Any owner of a dangerous dog who is charged with a violation pursuant to\nsubsection A and is found to have willfully failed to comply with the\nrequirements of § 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, or 3.2-6540.04 is\nguilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The court may determine that a person convicted\nunder this subsection shall be prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing\non the same property with a dog.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464; 2024, c. 145.","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}}