                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

GOVERNING BODY OF ANY LOCALITY MAY PROHIBIT DOGS FROM RUNNING AT LARGE; CIVIL
PENALTY (§ 3.2-6538)

Any locality may by ordinance prohibit the running at large of all or any
category of dogs, except dogs used for hunting, in all or any designated portion
of such locality during such months as it may designate. Any such locality may
also require that dogs be confined, restricted, or penned up during such
periods. For the purpose of this section, a dog shall be deemed to run at large
while roaming or running off the property of its owner or custodian and not
under its owner&#8217;s or custodian&#8217;s immediate control. Any person who
permits his dog to run at large or remain unconfined, unrestricted, or not
penned up shall be deemed to have violated an ordinance adopted pursuant to the
provisions of this section. Such ordinance shall provide that the owner or
custodian of any dog found running at large in a pack shall be subject to a
civil penalty in an amount established by the locality not to exceed $100 per
dog so found. For the purpose of such ordinance, a dog shall be deemed to be
running at large in a pack if it is running at large in the company of one or
more other dogs that are also running at large. Any civil penalty collected
pursuant to such ordinance shall be deposited by the treasurer of the locality
pursuant to the provisions of § 3.2-6534.

HISTORY: 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.63; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.93; 2008, c. 860;
2019, c. 562.