Measure establishes stiffer penalties for dog owners who don't control their dangerous dogs.

The Associated Press
WFLS News

Date published: 5/26/2006

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Governor Tim Kaine today signed into law a measure that establishes stiffer penalties for dog owners who don't control their dangerous dogs.

The law also establishes a definition of dangerous dogs as those that have bitten, attacked or injured a person and those that have injured or killed a companion animal.

It excludes dogs attacks on people or animals on the dog owner's property.

Several similar bills were submitted in the last legislative session in response to the mauling deaths of 82-year-old Dorothy Sullivan and her dog, Buttons.

Both were mauled by three pit bulls in Spotsylvania County a year ago.

The law also allows any law enforcement officer to petition a magistrate to issue a summons for a dog owner to appear in court for a hearing to determine if their dog is dangerous, and establishes penalties up to a felony for owners whose dogs attack.

It also establishes a dangerous dog registry that requires owners of dangerous dogs to register their animals for an annual fee and provide details about their attacks.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 5/26/2006