Virginia regulates how dogs and other domestic animals must be controlled in public, with rules meant to protect people, pets, and the public. For dog owners, understanding these laws is the best way to stay compliant and avoid an accident. If a loose or dangerous dog injures you, understanding these laws is the first step toward knowing your rights, because when an owner breaks the law and someone is hurt, that owner can be held liable for the victim’s losses. A Norfolk dog bite lawyer can help you sort out whether a violation occurred and what it means for your claim.
Our firm has represented injured clients throughout Virginia and North Carolina since 1985, and we handle injury cases exclusively. You can read more about our background at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. Here is an overview of how Virginia’s leash laws actually work.
There Is No Single Statewide Leash Law
Virginia does not impose one uniform leash law across the entire state. Instead, local governments set the rules, which means what is legal in one city may be a violation in a neighboring county. This is why checking your own city or county ordinance matters so much.
State law sets up this local system. Under Virginia Code § 3.2-6538, the governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, prohibit dogs from running at large. A companion statute, § 3.2-6539, authorizes localities to adopt ordinances requiring dogs to be kept on a leash. These local ordinances carry the force of law, and virtually every Hampton Roads city, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding localities, has adopted similar rules.
What “Running at Large” Means
Under these local ordinances, a dog is generally considered to be running at large when it is off its owner’s property and not under the immediate control of a person able to physically restrain it. In practical terms, that means a dog outside the owner’s property usually must be on a leash or otherwise physically controlled. Some localities, such as Hampton, have gone further and eliminated voice command as a legal substitute for a physical leash, so a well-trained dog responding to voice alone may still violate the ordinance.
If a dog is found running at large as part of a pack, meaning in the company of one or more other loose dogs, § 3.2-6538 allows the locality to impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per dog.
Common Exceptions
Local running-at-large and leash ordinances typically include exceptions. These commonly cover dogs engaged in a lawful hunt, competition, or training exercise, dogs working with law enforcement, and dogs within enclosed off-leash areas such as designated dog parks. Service animals actively assisting a person with a disability are also generally exempt while performing their tasks, and they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Dangerous Dogs Face Stricter Rules
Virginia imposes significantly tighter requirements on any dog that a court has formally declared “dangerous.” Under Virginia Code § 3.2-6540, once a dog is adjudged dangerous, the owner must register it, keep it securely confined or restrained, and muzzle and leash it whenever it is off the property. The owner must also carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 covering animal bites. These rules exist precisely because the dog has already shown it can cause harm.
When an Owner Is Liable for a Dog Bite
Virginia follows the “one-bite” rule, which means an owner can be held liable when they knew, or had reason to know, that their dog might be dangerous. A dog’s history of aggression or prior incidents can be powerful evidence in a dog bite claim.
Importantly, a leash law violation opens a second path to liability. When a dog is running loose in violation of a local ordinance and injures someone, the owner can often be found negligent even without any prior history of aggression. Proving the owner broke the leash law can be enough, which is one reason these local ordinances matter so much in a dog bite case. A Norfolk dog bite lawyer will look closely at both the dog’s history and whether any local ordinance was violated.
The Compensation Available to Dog Bite Victims
A dog bite can cause far more than a physical wound. If you have been injured, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and lost income, and also for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and any scarring or disfigurement the attack left behind. Children are especially vulnerable to serious facial injuries and lasting trauma, and those harms carry real value in a claim.
Our results reflect the seriousness of these cases. In one matter, we obtained a $1.5 million settlement for a three-year-old child who suffered significant facial scarring after a dog attack. Results depend on the specific facts of each case, but an outcome like that reflects the care we bring to proving liability and the full extent of a young client’s injuries.
Injured by a Dog? Contact Us Today
If you or a family member has been injured by a dog, a Norfolk dog bite lawyer at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can review what happened, determine whether a leash law or other violation played a role, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us at 833-997-1774 for a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Norfolk, and Chesapeake, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you and your family.
