{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6552.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6552.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6552.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6552.html"}],"law_id":76046,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76046,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6552","catch_line":"Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry","history":"1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.85; 1985, c. 385; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.116; 1990, c. 222; 1993, c. 977; 1998, c. 817; 2008, cc. 551, 691, 860; 2014, c. 137; 2016, c. 757.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be the duty of any animal control officer or other officer who may find a dog in the act of killing or injuring livestock or poultry to seize or kill such dog forthwith whether such dog bears a tag or not. Any person finding a dog committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section shall have the right to kill such dog on sight as shall any owner of livestock or his agent finding a dog chasing livestock on land utilized by the livestock when the circumstances show that such chasing is harmful to the livestock. Any court shall have the power to order the animal control officer or other officer to kill any dog known to be a confirmed livestock or poultry killer, and any dog killing poultry for the third time shall be considered a confirmed poultry killer. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel the owner, custodian, or harborer of the dog to produce the dog.B\n\nAny animal control officer who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock or poultry shall be empowered to seize such dog solely for the purpose of examining such dog in order to determine whether it committed any of the depredations mentioned herein. Any animal control officer or other person who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock, or committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section, shall apply to a magistrate serving the locality wherein the dog may be, who shall issue a warrant requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a time and place named therein, at which time evidence shall be heard. If it shall appear that the dog is a livestock killer, or has committed any of the depredations mentioned in this section, the district court shall order that the dog be (i) killed or euthanized immediately by the animal control officer or other officer designated by the court or (ii) removed to another state that does not border on the Commonwealth and prohibited from returning to the Commonwealth. Any dog ordered removed from the Commonwealth that is later found in the Commonwealth shall be ordered by a court to be killed or euthanized immediately.C\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, if it is determined that the dog has killed or injured only poultry, the district court may, instead of ordering killing, euthanasia, or removal to another state pursuant to this section, order either (a) that the dog be transferred to another owner whom the court deems appropriate and permanently fitted with an identifying microchip registered to that owner or (b) that the dog be fitted with an identifying microchip registered to the owner and confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked structure of sufficient height and design to prevent the dog’s escape; direct contact with the dog by minors, adults, or other animals; or entry by minors, adults, or other animals. The structure shall be designed to provide the dog with shelter from the elements of nature. When off its owner’s property, any dog found to be a poultry killer shall be kept on a leash and muzzled in such a manner as not to cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration, but so as to prevent it from biting a person or another animal.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272954,"text":"It shall be the duty of any animal control officer or other officer who may find a dog in the act of killing or injuring livestock or poultry to seize or kill such dog forthwith whether such dog bears a tag or not. Any person finding a dog committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section shall have the right to kill such dog on sight as shall any owner of livestock or his agent finding a dog chasing livestock on land utilized by the livestock when the circumstances show that such chasing is harmful to the livestock. Any court shall have the power to order the animal control officer or other officer to kill any dog known to be a confirmed livestock or poultry killer, and any dog killing poultry for the third time shall be considered a confirmed poultry killer. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel the owner, custodian, or harborer of the dog to produce the dog.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":272955,"text":"Any animal control officer who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock or poultry shall be empowered to seize such dog solely for the purpose of examining such dog in order to determine whether it committed any of the depredations mentioned herein. Any animal control officer or other person who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock, or committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section, shall apply to a magistrate serving the locality wherein the dog may be, who shall issue a warrant requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a time and place named therein, at which time evidence shall be heard. If it shall appear that the dog is a livestock killer, or has committed any of the depredations mentioned in this section, the district court shall order that the dog be (i) killed or euthanized immediately by the animal control officer or other officer designated by the court or (ii) removed to another state that does not border on the Commonwealth and prohibited from returning to the Commonwealth. Any dog ordered removed from the Commonwealth that is later found in the Commonwealth shall be ordered by a court to be killed or euthanized immediately.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":272956,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, if it is determined that the dog has killed or injured only poultry, the district court may, instead of ordering killing, euthanasia, or removal to another state pursuant to this section, order either (a) that the dog be transferred to another owner whom the court deems appropriate and permanently fitted with an identifying microchip registered to that owner or (b) that the dog be fitted with an identifying microchip registered to the owner and confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked structure of sufficient height and design to prevent the dog’s escape; direct contact with the dog by minors, adults, or other animals; or entry by minors, adults, or other animals. The structure shall be designed to provide the dog with shelter from the elements of nature. When off its owner’s property, any dog found to be a poultry killer shall be kept on a leash and muzzled in such a manner as not to cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration, but so as to prevent it from biting a person or another animal.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6552\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 492 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. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1985, chapter 385; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1990, chapter 222; in 1993, chapter 977; in 1998, chapter 817<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 551<\/a>, 691<\/a>, and 860<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 137<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 757<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72218,"section_number":"3.2-6570","catch_line":"Cruelty to animals; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6570\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":198909,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76046,"identifier":"3.2-6552","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6552","url":"\/3.2-6552\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6552\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6552","dublin_core":{"Title":"Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6552","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be the duty of any animal control officer<\/span> or other officer<\/span> who may find a dog in the act of killing or injuring livestock<\/span> or poultry<\/span> to seize or kill such dog forthwith whether such dog bears a tag or not. Any person finding<\/span> a dog committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section shall have the right to kill such dog on sight as shall any owner<\/span> of livestock<\/span> or his agent finding<\/span> a dog chasing livestock<\/span> on land utilized by the livestock<\/span> when the circumstances show that such chasing is harmful to the livestock<\/span>. Any court<\/span> shall have the power to order<\/span> the animal control officer<\/span> or other officer<\/span> to kill any dog known to be a confirmed livestock<\/span> or poultry<\/span> killer, and any dog killing poultry<\/span> for the third time shall be considered a confirmed poultry<\/span> killer. The court<\/span>, through its contempt<\/span> powers, may compel the owner<\/span>, custodian, or harborer of the dog to produce the dog. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any animal control officer<\/span> who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock<\/span> or poultry<\/span> shall be empowered to seize such dog solely for the purpose of examining such dog in order<\/span> to determine whether it committed any of the depredations mentioned herein. Any animal control officer<\/span> or other person who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock<\/span>, or committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section, shall apply to a magistrate<\/span> serving the locality wherein the dog may be, who shall issue<\/span> a warrant requiring the owner<\/span> or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court<\/span> at a time and place named therein, at which time evidence<\/span> shall be heard. If it shall appear that the dog is a livestock<\/span> killer, or has committed any of the depredations mentioned in this section, the district court<\/span> shall order<\/span> that the dog be (i) killed or euthanized immediately by the animal control officer<\/span> or other officer<\/span> designated by the court<\/span> or (ii) removed to another state that does not border on the Commonwealth and prohibited from returning to the Commonwealth. Any dog ordered removed from the Commonwealth that is later found in the Commonwealth shall be ordered by a court<\/span> to be killed or euthanized immediately. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, if it is determined that the dog has killed or injured only poultry<\/span>, the district court<\/span> may, instead of ordering killing, euthanasia<\/span>, or removal to another state pursuant to this section, order<\/span> either (a) that the dog be transferred to another owner<\/span> whom the court<\/span> deems appropriate and permanently fitted with an identifying microchip registered to that owner<\/span> or (b) that the dog be fitted with an identifying microchip registered to the owner<\/span> and confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked structure of sufficient height and design to prevent the dog’s escape; direct contact with the dog by minors<\/span>, adults, or other animals<\/span>; or entry by minors<\/span>, adults, or other animals<\/span>. The structure shall be designed to provide the dog with shelter from the elements of nature. When off its owner<\/span>’s property, any dog found to be a poultry<\/span> killer shall be kept on a leash and muzzled in such a manner as not to cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration, but so as to prevent it from biting a person or another animal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDOGS KILLING, INJURING, OR CHASING LIVESTOCK OR POULTRY (\u00a7 3.2-6552)\n\nA. It shall be the duty of any animal control officer or other officer who may\nfind a dog in the act of killing or injuring livestock or poultry to seize or\nkill such dog forthwith whether such dog bears a tag or not. Any person finding\na dog committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section shall have\nthe right to kill such dog on sight as shall any owner of livestock or his agent\nfinding a dog chasing livestock on land utilized by the livestock when the\ncircumstances show that such chasing is harmful to the livestock. Any court\nshall have the power to order the animal control officer or other officer to\nkill any dog known to be a confirmed livestock or poultry killer, and any dog\nkilling poultry for the third time shall be considered a confirmed poultry\nkiller. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel the owner, custodian,\nor harborer of the dog to produce the dog.\n\nB. Any animal control officer who has reason to believe that any dog is killing\nlivestock or poultry shall be empowered to seize such dog solely for the purpose\nof examining such dog in order to determine whether it committed any of the\ndepredations mentioned herein. Any animal control officer or other person who\nhas reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock, or committing any of\nthe depredations mentioned in this section, shall apply to a magistrate serving\nthe locality wherein the dog may be, who shall issue a warrant requiring the\nowner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a\ntime and place named therein, at which time evidence shall be heard. If it shall\nappear that the dog is a livestock killer, or has committed any of the\ndepredations mentioned in this section, the district court shall order that the\ndog be (i) killed or euthanized immediately by the animal control officer or\nother officer designated by the court or (ii) removed to another state that does\nnot border on the Commonwealth and prohibited from returning to the\nCommonwealth. Any dog ordered removed from the Commonwealth that is later found\nin the Commonwealth shall be ordered by a court to be killed or euthanized\nimmediately.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, if it is determined that the\ndog has killed or injured only poultry, the district court may, instead of\nordering killing, euthanasia, or removal to another state pursuant to this\nsection, order either (a) that the dog be transferred to another owner whom the\ncourt deems appropriate and permanently fitted with an identifying microchip\nregistered to that owner or (b) that the dog be fitted with an identifying\nmicrochip registered to the owner and confined indoors or in a securely enclosed\nand locked structure of sufficient height and design to prevent the dog’s\nescape; direct contact with the dog by minors, adults, or other animals; or\nentry by minors, adults, or other animals. The structure shall be designed to\nprovide the dog with shelter from the elements of nature. When off its\nowner’s property, any dog found to be a poultry killer shall be kept on a\nleash and muzzled in such a manner as not to cause injury to the dog or\ninterfere with its vision or respiration, but so as to prevent it from biting a\nperson or another animal.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.85; 1985, c. 385; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.116;\n1990, c. 222; 1993, c. 977; 1998, c. 817; 2008, cc. 551, 691, 860; 2014, c. 137;\n2016, c. 757.","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}}