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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-52.2 — Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 4: Assaults and Bodily Woundings, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-52.2

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-52.2Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
A. Any owner of an animal is guilty of a Class 6 felony if his willful act or omission in the care, control, or containment of such animal is so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and is the proximate cause of such animal attacking and causing serious bodily injury to any person. B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any animal that at the time of the act complained of was responding to pain or injury, was protecting itself, its kennel, its offspring, a person, or its owner's property, or was a police dog engaged in the performance of its duties at the time of the attack. C. The court may determine that a person convicted under this section shall be prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing on the same property with an animal of the type that led to such conviction.

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Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life is a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-52.2.

Which Virginia statute covers animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life?

Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-52.2 (Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.