{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/3.2-6543.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/3.2-6543.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/3.2-6543.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/3.2-6543.1.html"}],"law_id":358313,"edition_id":2,"section_id":358313,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6543.1","catch_line":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.","full_text":"The governing body of any locality may enact an ordinance regulating dangerous dogs that is parallel to \u00a7 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, 3.2-6540.03, or 3.2-6540.04. No locality shall impose a felony penalty for violation of such ordinance.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1333165,"text":"The governing body of any locality may enact an ordinance regulating dangerous dogs that is parallel to \u00a7 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, 3.2-6540.03, or 3.2-6540.04. No locality shall impose a felony penalty for violation of such ordinance.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":51241,"edition_id":2,"name":"Authority of Local Governing Bodies","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":6,"parent_id":51234,"metadata":{"child_laws":28,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:40","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:45","permalink":{"id":1425809,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51241,"identifier":"6","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51234,"edition_id":2,"name":"Comprehensive Animal Care","identifier":"65","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51220,"metadata":{"child_laws":132,"child_structures":15},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:34","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:44","permalink":{"id":1425461,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51234,"identifier":"65","token":"3.2\/V\/65","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51220,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Animals","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51103,"metadata":{"child_laws":207,"child_structures":28},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:26","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:43","permalink":{"id":1425135,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51220,"identifier":"V","token":"3.2\/V","url":"\/3.2\/V\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51103,"edition_id":2,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":5,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1194,"child_structures":151},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:37:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:27","permalink":{"id":1420941,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51103,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":358299,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6537","catch_line":"Ordinances; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6537\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537","metadata":false},{"id":358298,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6537.1","catch_line":"Cash bond for a pet shop obtaining certain dogs","url":"\/3.2-6537.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537.1","metadata":false},{"id":358300,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6538","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6538\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6538","metadata":false},{"id":358301,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6539","catch_line":"Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash","url":"\/3.2-6539\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6539","metadata":false},{"id":358307,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","url":"\/3.2-6540\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540","metadata":false},{"id":358302,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.01","metadata":false},{"id":358303,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.02","metadata":false},{"id":358304,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"John Beverly Chapman, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1948164","citation":"804 S.E.2d 326","date":"2017-09-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4428928\/john-beverly-chapman-jr-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":358305,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6540.04","catch_line":"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.04\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.04","metadata":false},{"id":358306,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6540.1","catch_line":"Vicious dogs; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6540.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.1","metadata":false},{"id":358309,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6541","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs","url":"\/3.2-6541\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541","metadata":false},{"id":358308,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6541.1","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit ownership of particular breed","url":"\/3.2-6541.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541.1","metadata":false},{"id":358312,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6542","catch_line":"Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry","url":"\/3.2-6542\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542","metadata":false},{"id":358310,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6542.1","catch_line":"Renewal of dangerous dog registration","url":"\/3.2-6542.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.1","metadata":false},{"id":358311,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6542.2","catch_line":"Dangerous dog fees; local fund","url":"\/3.2-6542.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358314,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6543","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances","url":"\/3.2-6543\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543","metadata":false},{"id":358313,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6543.1","catch_line":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543.1","metadata":false},{"id":358315,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6544","catch_line":"Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl","url":"\/3.2-6544\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6544","metadata":false},{"id":358316,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6545","catch_line":"Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelters","url":"\/3.2-6545\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6545","metadata":false},{"id":358317,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6546\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6546","metadata":false},{"id":358318,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6547","catch_line":"Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition","url":"\/3.2-6547\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6547","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358319,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6548","catch_line":"Private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6548\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6548","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358320,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6549","catch_line":"Releasing agencies other than public or private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of companion animals; recordkeeping; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6549\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6549","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358321,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6550","catch_line":"Requirements for foster homes; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6550\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6550","metadata":false},{"id":358322,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6551","catch_line":"Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6551\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6551","metadata":false},{"id":358323,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6552","catch_line":"Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry","url":"\/3.2-6552\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6552","metadata":false},{"id":358324,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6553","catch_line":"Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs","url":"\/3.2-6553\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6553","metadata":false},{"id":358325,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6554","catch_line":"Disposal of dead companion animals","url":"\/3.2-6554\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6554","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":358314,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6543","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances","url":"\/3.2-6543\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":358315,"structure_id":51241,"section_number":"3.2-6544","catch_line":"Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl","url":"\/3.2-6544\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6544","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6543.1\/","history_text":false,"references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":358307,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540\/"},{"id":358302,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/"},{"id":358303,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/"},{"id":358304,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/"},{"id":358305,"section_number":"3.2-6540.04","catch_line":"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6540.04\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1425875,"object_type":"law","relational_id":358313,"identifier":"3.2-6543.1","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543.1","url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6543.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The governing body of any locality may enact an <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> regulating dangerous dogs that is parallel to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing\" href=\"\/3.2-6540\/\">3.2-6540<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.01\/\">3.2-6540.01<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.02\/\">3.2-6540.02<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.03\/\">3.2-6540.03<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty\" href=\"\/3.2-6540.04\/\">3.2-6540.04<\/a>. No locality shall impose a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> for violation of such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY TO ENACT PARALLEL DANGEROUS DOG ORDINANCE (\u00a7 3.2-6543.1)\n\nThe governing body of any locality may enact an ordinance regulating dangerous\ndogs that is parallel to \u00a7 3.2-6540, 3.2-6540.01, 3.2-6540.02, 3.2-6540.03, or\n3.2-6540.04. No locality shall impose a felony penalty for violation of such\nordinance.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}