§ 3.1-735. (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Certificate of veterinary inspection required for importation ...
No person shall import into this Commonwealth any pet animal, including but not limited to, dogs, cats, monkeys, or other animals, ferae naturae, wild or tame under domestication or in custody, or any poultry not intended for commercial use which by its nature is fit for use only as a pet until such animal or poultry is accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection made by a properly qualified veterinarian. Such certificate shall be under oath on an official interstate health certificate issued by the state of origin, shall be dated no more than ten days before shipment, and shall contain such evidence of proof of the health of the animal or poultry as the Board, by regulation, may require.
Any such animal or poultry, which may be imported into this Commonwealth without such certificate, may be examined immediately by the State Veterinarian or by a licensed veterinarian, designated by him, and the examination cost may be charged to the owner or the person in possession of such animal or poultry. If, in the opinion of the veterinarian, there is danger from contagion or infection, such animal or poultry may be placed in close quarantine at the expense of the owner until all danger of infection or contagion has passed, whereupon the animal or poultry shall be released upon the order of such veterinarian.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any ornamental aquarium fish or invertebrate animal. The provisions of this section shall also not apply to any animal or poultry as herein defined passing directly through the Commonwealth to another state in interstate commerce, or when such animal or poultry is kept properly under control by the owner or custodian of such animal or poultry when passing through this Commonwealth to another state; to any such animal or poultry brought into this Commonwealth by a resident of this Commonwealth or by a resident of another state who intends to make his residence in this Commonwealth except if brought into the Commonwealth with the intent of offering it for public sale, trade, or promotional incentive; or to any animal brought into this Commonwealth temporarily for the purpose of hunting or legal exhibition within this state.
(Code 1950, § 3-576.1; 1964, c. 153; 1966, c. 702; 1993, c. 174; 2001, cc. 311, 333.)
Sections: Previous 3.1-728 3.1-729 3.1-730 3.1-731 3.1-732 3.1-733 3.1-734 3.1-735 3.1-736 3.1-737 3.1-738 3.1-738.1 3.1-739 3.1-739.1 3.1-740 NextLast modified: April 2, 2009