New Law Looks Likely For Dangerous Dogs

The General Assembly will consider a bill that would allow animal control officers the authority to impound a dangerous dog if its owner doesn’t comply with certain laws. If passed, the dog would remain confine until a judge reaches a verdict. If found guilty, the judge may then order animal control to euthanize the dog or give its owner 45 days to comply with the state’s dangerous dog requirements. The owner would be responsible for reimbursing the locality for the cost of caring for the dog while it was impounded. The bill is gaining momentum in the Virginia Senate; the State’s Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee has already approved it.