A 130+ lb Mastiff named "Bear," regularly walked in the N Pierce St. corridor of Arlington, Virginia, has attacked three times in two years — injuring dogs and their owners, triggering rabies protocols, and requiring emergency veterinary intervention. As recently as June 8, 2026, this dog was again observed unleashed on public streets. Because the owner repeatedly refuses to use basic control measures like a leash or muzzle, we are demanding that the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) take immediate action to protect our community.

We, the undersigned Arlington residents, are demanding that the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) take immediate action.

THE DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS:

June 8, 2026: Bear was observed unleashed on public streets in the N Pierce St. neighborhood — days after the most recent attack. The owner has demonstrated a repeated unwillingness to restrain the animal.

June 4, 2026 (AWLA Case #C0009566067): Bear launched an unprovoked attack on Hughie, a leashed Goldendoodle, at the intersection of N Pierce St. & 16th St. N. Hughie sustained documented bite wounds to his back and leg requiring veterinary assessment. The owner was forced to the ground while physically separating the animals and sustained injuries necessitating emergency rabies protocols. The handler fled the scene without providing identifying information.

June 29, 2024: Bear attacked a Retriever named "Nacho" in the same neighborhood, resulting in severe wounds requiring emergency veterinary stitches. Reported to Animal Control.

June 16, 2024: Bear ambushed a dog named "Coz" from behind at Hillside Park, inflicting critical injuries to the throat, ear, and face. The human owner was also injured. Reported to Animal Control.

THE CORE ISSUE:

When we reported these incidents, AWLA told us their hands were tied under Virginia Code § 3.2-6540. We respectfully disagree. That statute's own definition of "serious injury" includes any injury other than a sprain or strain — a threshold that the documented injuries in these cases almost certainly meet. The law gives AWLA the authority to petition for a dangerous dog hearing. AWLA has chosen not to exercise it.

We are not asking AWLA to make a final determination — we are asking them to initiate the hearing process that the law provides and let a court decide.

We are also calling on Arlington's legislative representatives to close the gap in Virginia law that allows a pattern of attacks to go unaddressed when each incident is evaluated in isolation, with no mechanism for cumulative findings.

WE ARE DEMANDING:

An immediate supervisory review of "Bear" by AWLA leadership based on the totality of the documented evidence.

That AWLA petition for a dangerous dog hearing under Virginia Code § 3.2-6540, allowing a general district court to make a formal determination.

That Arlington's state delegates and senators introduce legislation requiring animal control to consider the cumulative pattern of incidents — not just each attack in isolation — when assessing whether a dog poses a community threat.

A dog that has attacked three times, injured people and animals, triggered rabies protocols, and been seen unleashed four days after its most recent attack is a threat to our community. We refuse to wait for a catastrophic or fatal injury before our public safety laws are enforced.

Sign this petition to demand action.