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2006 SESSION

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SB 200 Dogs; regulation of those that may be dangerous.

Introduced by: R. Edward Houck | Frederick M. Quayle | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED: (all summaries)

Control of dangerous and vicious dogs; registry; penalty. Requires the control of dangerous dogs within a statewide mandated framework. The bill imposes criminal penalties ranging from a Class 2 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony for violations that result in injury to a person or death to a cat or dog. The bill expands the authority to petition a court to find a dog dangerous to any law-enforcement officer and makes that petition mandatory. A Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry is created to be maintained by the State Veterinarian; any change in the status of a dangerous dog is to be promptly submitted in writing. Surrender of a dog that is subject of a pending action to animal control shall not be in lieu of prosecution. The bill also (i) narrows the definition of "dangerous dogs" to include dogs that inflict injury to another cat or dog requiring the animal to be euthanized while also broadening safe harbor provisions; (ii) requires that a dog that has been found to be dangerous or vicious shall be spayed or neutered; and (iii) requires liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 to be purchased by the owner of a dangerous dog, or in lieu of the insurance policy, the owner may obtain a surety bond. This bill is identical to HB 340 and HB 1039.


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