Virginia Beach is considering a public animal-cruelty registry under a state law that allows localities to create computerized records of certain felony convictions. Councilman Michael Berlucchi asked the city to establish one, and his colleagues have backed the idea. The debate comes as the city's Animal Care and Adoption Center handles animal intakes.
Berlucchi requested the registry, and his fellow council members have backed the idea, according to The Virginian-Pilot. The city plans to have it in place by early 2027 to raise public awareness and help protect animals, according to the report.
Virginia law limits the registry’s scope to people convicted of felony offenses involving animal cruelty, animal fighting, maiming or killing or poisoning an animal, or killing or injuring a police animal. Under Virginia Code, localities may establish computerized registries for those offenses. The authorization applies to qualifying convictions beginning July 1, 2024, according to RVA Crime Stoppers.
What Statewide Data Can—and Can't—Show
A 2011 report by the Virginia State Crime Commission counted at least 104 felony animal-abuse convictions over the five fiscal years it examined. That historical statewide tally measures convictions, not reports or arrests, and does not show how Virginia Beach compares with other localities or how often offenses are reported today.
Chesapeake's Database Sets a Regional Precedent
Virginia Beach would not be breaking entirely new ground. Chesapeake established what was described as the region's first public animal cruelty database, per the Pilot's report, and the city's police department will manage entries listing a person's name, offense and conviction date, drawing on conviction records from across the state, according to Lady Freethinker. That outlet described the database as the first of its kind in Hampton Roads.
Chesapeake's registry lists people convicted of felony animal cruelty crimes dating to January 2009, but it excludes misdemeanor offenses, allegations, arrests and pending cases, limiting entries to felony-level convictions only, according to Daily Press and the City of Chesapeake's own registry page. A convicted person may request removal after 15 years without any subsequent felony convictions for the listed offenses, the city notes. Chesapeake says the registry was created to assist shelters, rescue partners and citizens in making responsible placement decisions.
Virginia Beach's Animal Services Bureau and other organizations could use a similar tool to vet potential adopters, according to the Pilot. Henrico County became the first locality in Central Virginia to establish a registry after its Board of Supervisors approved the measure, per 12 On Your Side. The station also reported that Hanover, Chesterfield and the City of Richmond have expressed interest in creating registries.
Henrico's Registry Has Separate Local Rules
Henrico County’s Dec. 2, 2025, ordinance requires notice before a person is listed, limits entries to convictions on or after July 1, 2024, and assigns the registry to Henrico Police Division to maintain, according to the county. Those provisions describe Henrico’s policy, not Virginia Beach’s proposal. A person listed in Henrico may request removal after 15 years without a subsequent felony conviction for one of the listed offenses, 12 On Your Side reported.
Berlucchi Seeks a Registry for Virginia Beach
Berlucchi has asked the city to establish a registry under the authority state law gives localities to create computerized records of certain felony convictions.
That ambition echoes a debate already playing out in Chesapeake, where a council member advocated making expansion to misdemeanor offenses a future legislative priority, according to CitizenPortal.ai. For now, though, state authorization covers only felony-level offenses, leaving any misdemeanor registry dependent on future legislative action in Richmond.
The city is aiming to have a felony registry in place by early 2027.
A Busy Shelter Behind the Push
Shelter and response work provides context about the city's animal-welfare system, though it does not measure the effects a registry might have. Virginia Beach's Animal Care and Adoption Center provides adoption services.
In a suspected cockfighting investigation in the Creeds area of Pungo, 213 birds were seized.
Two injured birds were euthanized in connection with the suspected cockfighting investigation.
The Animal Care and Adoption Center offers adoption services.
Virginia Beach's Animal Care and Adoption Center is part of the city's animal-welfare network.
