There is a no dog bite statute in Virginia.
If you live in the state of Virginia and are bitten by a dog, beware--Virginia does not have a dog bite statute. Therefore, if you are bitten by a dog and can't prove that you sustained the injury as a result of the owner's negligence (such as breaking a leash law), there's not much you can do legally. However, each governing body in the state is allowed to enforce ordinances for the state's definition of a dangerous or vicious dog. In addition, rabies vaccinations and licenses are required for dogs 4 months or older. The state also permits localities to enforce leash laws, which typically require that dogs be leashed and under the control of the owner or another person while the dog is off its property. Some areas allow dogs to run unleashed in designated dog parks or exercise areas.
Dangerous Dog Ordinances
Although Virginia does not have a dog bite statute, a person can be compensated if he was bitten as the result of the owner's negligence. For instance, if the dog was unleashed at the time of the attack or was not on its property, the victim can make a claim. However, if the victim, in any way, provoked the attack, he generally won't be compensated.
Nevertheless, the state does allow each locality in the state to enact its own "dangerous" dog ordinances. According to the state's definition, a "dangerous dog" is a dog that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or companion animal (other than a dog), or one that has killed a companion animal. A dog biting another dog is not considered a dangerous dog if no serious physical injury has occurred, if both dogs are owned by the same person, or the dogs were involved in an activity, such as hunting or a dog handling event.
If you are the owner of a dangerous dog, you must obtain a dangerous dog registration and indicate the animal is dangerous with an ID. Owners must also post signs warning people that they own a dangerous dog. Owners must keep the dog securely locked indoors or behind an enclosure on their property. If the dog is off the property, it must be leashed and muzzled. Owners also must take out liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 if it's determined that their dog is dangerous.
Leash Laws
Leash laws are enacted by each locality in the state of Virginia. The law generally requires that dogs be leashed when off their properties and be in the control of their owner or another person. In public areas, dogs must be leashed unless they are in a specified area for unleashed dogs, such as a dog park or dog exercise area.
Rabies Vaccination and License
Virginia requires that all dogs 4 months of age be vaccinated for rabies. At this time, owners are also responsible for securing a license for their pet. Therefore, to obtain a license, dog owners must show proof of the required rabies vaccination. License tags can't be removed from a dog's collar by anyone other than the owner.
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