Va. Code § 18.2-52.2

Current with changes from the 2024 legislative session through ch. 845
Section 18.2-52.2 - Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty
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.

Va. Code § 18.2-52.2

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.
Added by Acts 2021SP1 c. 464,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.