Subcommittee rejects proposal to change appeals process for dangerous dog cases

Delegate Delia Weber presented HB 11‑60, a bill intended to clarify procedures for local animal control officers and to reduce litigation uncertainty when an animal previously under deferred adjudication commits a subsequent dangerous‑dog act.

Weber said the bill arose from an assistant commonwealth’s attorney and would remove a pathway to re‑litigate an earlier deferred adjudication if a later dangerous‑dog incident occurs before the deferment period ends. Committee members asked whether the bill was tied to a particular incident; Weber said it was prompted by specific local experience.

After brief discussion and the absence of supporting witnesses, the committee recorded a vote and the bill failed to report out of subcommittee (3 yes, 7 no).