Update: This bill was defeated in Committee and is now dead.

Virginia bill, H.B. 429, would amend Virginia's law, Va. Code §3.2-6546, governing care and disposition of animals in public shelters by prohibiting any pound from euthanizing or refusing to adopt any dog "based solely on breed".

Last year, a Loudoun County, Virginia judge found, in part, he had no authority to disturb the county's decision to euthanize or not adopt out dogs with pit bull characteristics. Yet Virginia bans breed specific laws.  §3.1-796.93.1C)(2) The judge also said he did not think the county was singling out pit bulls. Even though county officials basically said just that. The county would transfer dogs with pit bull characteristics to rescues if they passed a temperament test . But the county failed nearly all dogs with pit bull characteristics and euthanized them.

This bill, if it becomes law, would be difficult to enforce as shelter employees could simply cite other reasons, including breed, for their decisions. But shelters can now at least be held accountable to explain reasons for euthanizing each dog or withholding them from adopters.  It is likely to mean fewer deaths based on breed. It is a good first step in stopping the practice of unwritten breed bans that have meant the deaths of thousands of dogs in public shelters that have refused to adopt them out or even place them in rescues or sanctuaries.