Substantive changes include (i) a requirement that a law-enforcement officer or animal control officer who has reason to believe that a dog within his jurisdiction is a dangerous dog must apply for a district court summons, a requirement that is discretionary under current law; (ii) a prohibition on disposing of a dog ...
In Fairfax County, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times in public areas unless they're in a designated off-leash area.
Most local jurisdictions in Virginia enforce leash laws to ensure public safety. These laws generally require dog owners to keep their pets under control, even on their own property. Control methods include confining the dog to a house, fenced yard, secured leash, or maintaining immediate voice command.
In Virginia, there's a law that says you need to bring your pets indoors and not leave them outside for too long if the weather is consistently above 85 degress or below 32 degrees. If left outside too long in freezing temperatures, your pets can suffer from hypothermia and become disoriented or possibly even die.
If you want more than two, it will depend on the size of your lot. Dogs must be licensed in Fairfax County. Roosters are only permitted as part of an agricultural operation, like a farm. You need at least two acres for keeping of chickens and other poultry, and livestock, such as horses, goats, and llamas.
Section 41.1-2-6. The owner or custodian of any dog shall be responsible for the removal of excreta deposited by such dog on the property of another, including public places. (26-04-41.1.)
Virginia's dangerous dog laws categorize dogs as dangerous if they have been bitten, attacked, or injured a person or another animal. Owners of dogs deemed dangerous must register them with the local animal control, ensure they wear a specific tag, and sometimes confine them in a secured enclosure.
Per Virginia Code § 3.2-6524 and § 3.2-6521, Arlington residents with dogs over four months old must obtain a dog license and vaccinate their dog against rabies.