HB 2381 Virginia House of Delegates · 2017 Regular Session

Dangerous dogs; clarifies definition, etc.

Summary
Removes the requirement that a law-enforcement officer or animal control officer apply for a summons requiring a dog owner to appear before a general district court when the officer has reason to believe that the dog is dangerous. In the case of a dog that has bitten a cat or dog, the bill requires investigation by an officer for certain exemptions from the definition of "dangerous dog" to apply and removes an exemption for good cause as determined by a court. In the case of a dog that has bitten a person, the bill creates an exemption when an investigating officer finds that the injury is minor. The bill allows a court to use good cause as a reason to determine that a dog is not dangerous. The bill also reduces from 45 days to 30 days the period within which (i) an owner of a dog found to be dangerous is required to obtain a dangerous dog registration certificate and (ii) a convicted owner of a dangerous dog is required to comply with certain provisions. The bill contains technical amendments.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2017
Committee Review
Feb 2017
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2017
Senate Passage
Feb 2017
Signed into Law
Mar 2017
Introduced Jan 17, 2017 Signed Mar 13, 2017
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Mar 13, 2017
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 396 (effective 7/1/17)
executive
Feb 7, 2017
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
legislature
Feb 6, 2017
Legislature · Passed
Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (97-Y 0-N)
legislature
Feb 3, 2017
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended HB2381E
legislature
Feb 3, 2017
Legislature · Passed
Committee amendment agreed to
legislature
Jan 23, 2017
Committee
Assigned ACNR sub: Agriculture
legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 17103592D
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Matt Fariss
Matt Fariss
RRepublican
VA
59