Virginia has no dog bite statute that makes every owner liable. Under the one-bite rule, an owner is liable if the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, and negligence claims are also possible. Pure contributory negligence can bar your claim if you provoked the dog.
Enter your estimated damages and a few quick facts about the incident.
Summaries agree that Virginia has no strict-liability dog bite statute, so the owner is liable only if the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous or was negligent. The state's dangerous dog procedure is in Va. Code 3.2-6540.
Pure contributory negligence can bar your claim, and the deadline is two years.
A local personal injury attorney can review your claim — many offer a free consultation.
This is an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on the cited Virginia statutes. Confirm how these rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Virginia attorney.