{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6542.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6542.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6542.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6542.html"}],"law_id":60877,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60877,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542","catch_line":"Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry","history":"2006, cc. 837, 864, 898, \u00a7 3.1-796.93:3; 2008, c. 860; 2009, c. 354; 2012, cc. 107, 236; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Commissioner shall establish the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry to be maintained by the Department. The State Veterinarian shall maintain information provided and posted by animal control officers or other such officials statewide on a website. All information collected for the Dangerous Dog Registry shall be available to animal control officers via the website. The website list shall be known as the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry.B\n\nRegistration information shall include the name of the animal, a photograph, sex, age, weight, primary breed, secondary breed, color and markings, whether spayed or neutered, the acts that resulted in the dog being designated as dangerous and associated trial docket information, microchip or tattoo number, address where the animal is maintained, name of the owner, address of the owner, telephone numbers of the owner, and a statement that the owner has complied with the provisions of the dangerous dog order. The address of the owner along with the name and breed of the dangerous dog, the acts that resulted in the dog being found dangerous, and information necessary to access court records of the adjudication shall be available to the general public. If the dangerous dog is moved to a different location or contact information for the owner changes in any way at any time, the owner shall submit a renewal containing the address of the new location or other updated information within 10 days of such move or change to an animal control officer or other such official for the new location. There shall be no charge for any updated information provided between renewals.C\n\nEach county or city shall submit to the State Veterinarian by January 31 of each year $90 for each dangerous dog it initially registered and $25 for each dangerous dog for which it renewed registration within the previous calendar year. Any funds collected pursuant to this section shall be used by the State Veterinarian to maintain the registry and website.D\n\nActions of the Department relating to the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry under this section or § 3.2-6542.1 shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).E\n\nCopies of all records, documents, and other papers pertaining to the Dangerous Dog Registry that are duly certified and authenticated in writing on the face of such documents to be true copies by the State Veterinarian or the Dangerous Dog Registry administrator shall be received as evidence with like effect as the original records, documents, or other papers in all courts of the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":222582,"text":"The Commissioner shall establish the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry to be maintained by the Department. The State Veterinarian shall maintain information provided and posted by animal control officers or other such officials statewide on a website. All information collected for the Dangerous Dog Registry shall be available to animal control officers via the website. The website list shall be known as the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":222583,"text":"Registration information shall include the name of the animal, a photograph, sex, age, weight, primary breed, secondary breed, color and markings, whether spayed or neutered, the acts that resulted in the dog being designated as dangerous and associated trial docket information, microchip or tattoo number, address where the animal is maintained, name of the owner, address of the owner, telephone numbers of the owner, and a statement that the owner has complied with the provisions of the dangerous dog order. The address of the owner along with the name and breed of the dangerous dog, the acts that resulted in the dog being found dangerous, and information necessary to access court records of the adjudication shall be available to the general public. If the dangerous dog is moved to a different location or contact information for the owner changes in any way at any time, the owner shall submit a renewal containing the address of the new location or other updated information within 10 days of such move or change to an animal control officer or other such official for the new location. There shall be no charge for any updated information provided between renewals.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":222584,"text":"Each county or city shall submit to the State Veterinarian by January 31 of each year $90 for each dangerous dog it initially registered and $25 for each dangerous dog for which it renewed registration within the previous calendar year. Any funds collected pursuant to this section shall be used by the State Veterinarian to maintain the registry and website.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":222585,"text":"Actions of the Department relating to the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry under this section or § 3.2-6542.1 shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":222586,"text":"Copies of all records, documents, and other papers pertaining to the Dangerous Dog Registry that are duly certified and authenticated in writing on the face of such documents to be true copies by the State Veterinarian or the Dangerous Dog Registry administrator shall be received as evidence with like effect as the original records, documents, or other papers in all courts of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6542\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 837<\/a>, 864<\/a>, and 898<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 354<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 107<\/a> and 236<\/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":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":81226,"section_number":"3.2-6542.2","catch_line":"Dangerous dog fees; local fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6542.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86911,"section_number":"2.2-4000","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4000\/"},{"id":71489,"section_number":"3.2-6542.1","catch_line":"Renewal of dangerous dog registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6542.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198857,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60877,"identifier":"3.2-6542","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542","url":"\/3.2-6542\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6542\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542","dublin_core":{"Title":"Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6542","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span> shall establish the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry to be maintained by the Department<\/span>. The State Veterinarian<\/span> shall maintain information provided and posted by animal control officers<\/span> or other such officials statewide on a website. All information collected for the Dangerous Dog Registry shall be available to animal control officers<\/span> via the website. The website list shall be known as the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Registration information shall include the name of the animal, a photograph, sex, age, weight, primary breed, secondary breed, color and markings, whether spayed or neutered, the acts that resulted in the dog being designated as dangerous and associated trial<\/span> docket<\/span> information, microchip or tattoo number, address where the animal is maintained, name of the owner<\/span>, address of the owner<\/span>, telephone numbers of the owner<\/span>, and a statement that the owner<\/span> has complied with the provisions of the dangerous dog order<\/span>. The address of the owner<\/span> along with the name and breed of the dangerous dog, the acts that resulted in the dog being found dangerous, and information necessary to access court<\/span> records of the adjudication shall be available to the general public. If the dangerous dog is moved to a different location or contact information for the owner<\/span> changes in any way at any time, the owner<\/span> shall submit a renewal containing the address of the new location or other updated information within 10 days of such move or change to an animal control officer<\/span> or other such official for the new location. There shall be no charge for any updated information provided between renewals. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Each county or city shall submit to the State Veterinarian<\/span> by January 31 of each year $90 for each dangerous dog it initially registered and $25 for each dangerous dog for which it renewed registration within the previous calendar year. Any funds collected pursuant to this section shall be used by the State Veterinarian<\/span> to maintain the registry and website. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Actions of the Department<\/span> relating to the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry under this section or § 3.2-6542.1<\/a> shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Copies of all records, documents, and other papers pertaining to the Dangerous Dog Registry that are duly certified and authenticated in writing on the face of such documents to be true copies by the State Veterinarian<\/span> or the Dangerous Dog Registry administrator shall be received as evidence<\/span> with like effect as the original records, documents, or other papers in all courts<\/span> of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nESTABLISHMENT OF DANGEROUS DOG REGISTRY (\u00a7 3.2-6542)\n\nA. The Commissioner shall establish the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry to be\nmaintained by the Department. The State Veterinarian shall maintain information\nprovided and posted by animal control officers or other such officials statewide\non a website. All information collected for the Dangerous Dog Registry shall be\navailable to animal control officers via the website. The website list shall be\nknown as the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry.\n\nB. Registration information shall include the name of the animal, a photograph,\nsex, age, weight, primary breed, secondary breed, color and markings, whether\nspayed or neutered, the acts that resulted in the dog being designated as\ndangerous and associated trial docket information, microchip or tattoo number,\naddress where the animal is maintained, name of the owner, address of the owner,\ntelephone numbers of the owner, and a statement that the owner has complied with\nthe provisions of the dangerous dog order. The address of the owner along with\nthe name and breed of the dangerous dog, the acts that resulted in the dog being\nfound dangerous, and information necessary to access court records of the\nadjudication shall be available to the general public. If the dangerous dog is\nmoved to a different location or contact information for the owner changes in\nany way at any time, the owner shall submit a renewal containing the address of\nthe new location or other updated information within 10 days of such move or\nchange to an animal control officer or other such official for the new location.\nThere shall be no charge for any updated information provided between renewals.\n\nC. Each county or city shall submit to the State Veterinarian by January 31 of\neach year $90 for each dangerous dog it initially registered and $25 for each\ndangerous dog for which it renewed registration within the previous calendar\nyear. Any funds collected pursuant to this section shall be used by the State\nVeterinarian to maintain the registry and website.\n\nD. Actions of the Department relating to the establishment, operation, and\nmaintenance of the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry under this section or §\n3.2-6542.1 shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act\n(§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).\n\nE. Copies of all records, documents, and other papers pertaining to the\nDangerous Dog Registry that are duly certified and authenticated in writing on\nthe face of such documents to be true copies by the State Veterinarian or the\nDangerous Dog Registry administrator shall be received as evidence with like\neffect as the original records, documents, or other papers in all courts of the\nCommonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, cc. 837, 864, 898, \u00a7 3.1-796.93:3; 2008, c. 860; 2009, c. 354;\n2012, cc. 107, 236; 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}}