Dog bite statutes in VA?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know the dog bite statutes in VA and what most local ordinances say regarding 'dangerous' dogs?

We have a dog in our neighborhood who has bitten a neighbor's child. No blood was drawn but the mother says red marks were visible hours after the bite. The dog's owner will still take the dog off her property without a leash sometimes. The dog is relatively obedient with her owner and this child was bitten while on the dog owner's property. The dog owner has an electronic fence which is in working order. So now that the dog has bitten once, is she deemed a dangerous dog, requiring a leash at all times when outside of her property and a sign?

The parents of small children in our neighborhood are nervous to allow their children outside because sometimes this dog will jump the electronic fence.

[Anonymous]

Look up leash laws for your county

[Anonymous]

Was animal control notified of the incident? If no report was made, then there's nothing "required."

[Anonymous]

I was bit by a dog when I was little. I also grew up with dogs so I, thankfully, knew not all were dangerous. The dog leapt over the neighbors' fence and latched onto my arm. I was at a friend's house and her mom called the cops. The dog did not puncture my skin (I had a winter coat on and that's the only reason why). I know the dog was labeled a dangerous dog but I'm not sure what was required of the dog's owner. 2 weeks later the dog bit a cop while he was out on a walk (unleashed) and the dog had to be put down since there was a documented history of biting.

Unfortunately, if there was no documentation of this incident, I'd imagine it would be difficult to get the dog registered as a dangerous animal.

[Anonymous]

If the dog nipped the kid on the owner's property, inside her own (working) electronic fence, I don't see why or how this dog should be characterized as a dangerous dog. Stay off the owner's property. Problem solved. I say this as a dog owner who was bitten by a strange dog as a child - some dogs are very protective of their home, or their owners, and this child may have freaked out the dog in some way.

If the dog DOES jump the electric fence, that's a separate story. Talk to the owner about installing a real fence and using a leash while walking in the neighborhood. The leash is a legal requirement, I believe.

[Anonymous]

The dog should be fine if you teach your children NOT to taunt the dog, or walk on the dog's property. All dogs are territorial by nature. I thought this was common knowledge.

I know some people who can recite any type of dog breed, but when it comes to actual training knowledge, they might as well be speaking Russian to the dog, because the dog has not actually been taught the command. Truly ridiculous and irresponsible on their part.

OTOH, we have neighbor children who have been taught (NOT dissuaded) to tease a neighborhood dog. Won't be real funny when (not if, when) they get bit and have no recourse based on their past behaviors. The dog owners have tons of money for lawyers, and tons of resources for hiding their money, so even if they were sued, and by some miracle won (they would not), the taunting childs family would get nothing.

Parents need to be responsible, just as dog owners need to do their part. If reasonable precautions have been taken by the dog owner/s, there will probably be no case.

[Anonymous]

It's by county.

[Anonymous]

Call animal control tell them the dog is aggressive and had foamy spit

[Anonymous]

17:05 - you would have to prove that, asshole. Nice try. You are in extra deep trouble if the owner voluntarily takes a rabies exam or has the documentation to prove rabies shots exist. Which every dog owner I know does. People take their dogs very seriously. But then again, you are probably a dumbass, antisocial cat person.

Also, hope they don't have outstanding lawyers and the ASPCA on your ass. That could get really, really, really expensive for you to bark up the wrong tree, so to speak. But then again, you probably have nothing (no accomplishments) to lose. I thought people here were supposed to be smart? Wow.

[Anonymous]

Why are people in the neighborhood worried if the problem happened on the owner's property and there is a working fence? Stay out of the dog's yard and you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax, and I believe VA, use a two bite law. First bite is considered an accident. Second bite, dog can be deemed dangerous. Animal Control has to be contacted for all bites and on the second one, it's a criminal court hearing. If the child got bit on the dog's property and no skin was broken, move on. Just have people stay off that property and try talking to the owner about your concerns.

[Anonymous]

OP makes no sense. OP, are you jealous of your neighbor and/or looking for trouble? There are neighbors like these, and the police are well aware of them. You are a nuisance, and you could easily have a known reputation with the police, which is never good. MYOB and get a hobby. Where is your husband?