Vienna, VA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Under VA Code 3.2-6540 and 3.2-6540.1, a dog may be declared dangerous if it has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or another companion animal without provocation, or if it has chased or menaced a person in a threatening manner. A vicious dog declaration applies when attacks cause serious injury or death. Dangerous dogs must be registered annually with Fairfax County (150 dollar fee), be microchipped, display a registration tag at all times, be kept in a secure enclosure (6-foot fence with secure gate), be muzzled and leashed when off the owner's property, and the owner must maintain 100,000 dollar liability insurance. Owners must notify the County within 10 days of any change in address or ownership. Violations of dangerous dog conditions are Class 1 misdemeanors and may result in the dog's euthanasia. Vicious dogs must be euthanized unless a judge orders otherwise. Virginia specifically does not recognize breed-specific legislation; decisions are behavior-based. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other breeds are not presumptively dangerous in Virginia. The dangerous dog determination is made by a court after Animal Protection Police investigation. Multiple Fairfax County dangerous-dog hearings are held annually.