(a) It is unlawful for an owner to have a dangerous dog in the Virgin Islands without a certificate of registration issued by an animal shelter under this section. This section shall not apply to dogs used by peace officers in the discharge of their duties.
(1) An animal shelter, after it has determined that a dog is a dangerous dog, shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous dog if the owner presents to an animal shelter evidence of:
(i) a proper enclosure to confine a dangerous dog and the posting of a clearly visible warning sign, in a prominent place on the premises, that there is a dangerous dog on the property. The owner shall also conspicuously display a sign with a warning symbol that informs children of the presence of a dangerous dog. Such signs must have minimum dimensions of twelve (12) inches by nine (9) inches;
(ii) a surety bond issued by a surety bond insurer qualified under Title 22 of this Code in the amount of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), payable to any person injured by a dangerous dog; or a policy of liability insurance, issued by an insurer qualified under Title 22 of this Code in the amount of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), covering the twelve (12) month period during which licensing is sought and insuring the owner for any personal injuries inflicted by the owner's dangerous dog. The policy shall contain a provision requiring the animal shelter to be named as an additional insured for the sole purpose of the notification of the animal shelter by the insurance company of any cancellation, termination or expiration of the policy;
(iii) verification from a veterinarian that the dangerous dog has been spayed or neutered and tattooed on the left flank.
(2) Within sixty (60) days after a dog has been designated a dangerous dog by an animal shelter, if the owner or keeper of a dog is unwilling or is unable to comply with the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this section, he shall have the dangerous dog humanely euthanized by an animal shelter, humane society, or a licensed veterinarian. Any dog that has been designated as dangerous shall not be offered for adoption.
(3) To ensure compliance with this section, the animal shelter is empowered to conduct inspections of and/or inquiries about any dangerous dog, with or without prior notification to the owner.
(4) The animal shelter may charge the owner of a dangerous dog an annual registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to regular dog licensing fees.
(b)
(1) It is unlawful for a dangerous dog to be outside of a proper enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by an unbreakable chain or leash and under the control of a responsible person. The muzzle shall fit the dangerous dog in such a manner that it will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration, but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal.
(2) The owner shall notify an animal shelter within twenty-four (24) hours if a dangerous dog is loose, unconfined, has attacked a human being or another animal, has died, or has been sold or given away. If the dog has been sold or given away, the owner shall provide the animal shelter with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner, who must comply with the provisions of this section.
(c)
(1) Any dangerous dog may be confiscated and humanely euthanized by the animal shelter if:
(i) the dog is not registered under this section; or
(ii) the dog is outside of the dwelling of the owner or outside the proper enclosure and not under physical restraint by a responsible person.
In addition, the owner shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than one (1) year imprisonment, or a five hundred dollar ($500) fine, or both.(2) Any dangerous dog of an owner with a prior conviction, under item (1) of this subsection, who attacks or bites a human being or another domestic animal shall be confiscated and humanely euthanized and the owner of such dog shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than eighteen (18) months, or a seven hundred fifty dollar ($750) fine, or both.
(3) Any dog that severely injures or kills any human shall be confiscated and humanely euthanized and the owner of such dog shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than two (2) years, or a one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine, or both.