Code of Virginia - Title 3.1 Agriculture, Horticulture And Food - Chapter 27.4 Comprehensive Animal Laws

3.1-796.66 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Definitions
The following words as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings: "Abandon" means to desert, forsake, or absolutely give up an animal without ...
3.1-796.67 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Rules, regulations, and guidelines
The Board may promulgate rules and regulations or guidelines consistent with the objectives and intent of this chapter concerning the care and transportation of animals. ...
3.1-796.67:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Authority of the Commissioner
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall have the power to enter into agreements with local, state and federal agencies or other persons for ...
3.1-796.67:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) State Veterinarian's power to inspect premises where animals a...
A. The State Veterinarian and each State Veterinarian's representative shall have the power to conduct inspections of animal shelters, and inspect any business premises where ...
3.1-796.68 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Care of animals by owner; penalty
A. Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals: 1. Adequate feed; 2. Adequate water; 3. Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned; 4. ...
3.1-796.69 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Transporting animals; requirements; penalty
No owner, railroad or other common carrier when transporting any animal shall allow that animal to be confined in any type of conveyance more than ...
3.1-796.70 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Sale, etc., of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited...
A. No person shall sell, raffle, give away, or offer for sale as pets or novelties, or offer or give as a prize, premium, or ...
3.1-796.71 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Failure of dealer or pet shop to provide adequate care, etc.; ...
Any dealer or pet shop that fails to adequately house, feed, water, exercise or care for animals in his or its possession or custody as ...
3.1-796.72 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Misrepresentation of animal's condition; penalties
No person shall misrepresent the physical condition of any animal at the animal's sale, trade, delivery, or other method of transfer. For the purpose of ...
3.1-796.73 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Abandonment of animal; penalty
No person shall abandon or dump any animal. Violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall be construed to ...
3.1-796.74 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Exceptions regarding veterinarians
Sections 3.1-796.68 through 3.1-796.73, 3.1-796.78 through 3.1-796.83:2, 3.1-796.105 through 3.1-796.108, 3.1-796.120, and 3.1-796.126:1 through 3.1-796.126:7 shall not apply to: (i) a place or establishment which ...
3.1-796.75 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Procedure for animals left unclaimed with veterinarian or boar...
Any animal not claimed by its owner from a licensed veterinarian or boarding establishment within fourteen days after a letter of notice has been sent ...
3.1-796.76 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Injured or sick animal; action by veterinarian
A. If a licensed veterinarian is called or by his own action comes upon an animal that is sick or injured and the owner of ...
3.1-796.77 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Disposal of animals by means of decompression chamber and use ...
A. No animal shall be euthanized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter by means of a high altitude decompression chamber. B. No companion animal ...
3.1-796.78 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Sale without pet dealer's animal history certificate violatio...
It shall be a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) for any pet dealer to sell a dog or cat ...
3.1-796.79 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Inclusion of false or misleading statements in certificate vio...
It shall be a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) for a pet dealer to include in the pet dealer's ...
3.1-796.80 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Consumer remedies for receipt of diseased animal upon certific...
If, at any time within ten days following receipt of an animal described as being registered or capable of being registered with any animal pedigree ...
3.1-796.81 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Written notice of consumer remedies required to be supplied b...
A pet dealer shall give the notice hereinafter set forth in writing to a consumer prior to the delivery of a dog or cat. Such ...
3.1-796.82 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Failure of pet dealer to effect registration after promise; vi...
A. It shall be a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) for a pet dealer to state, promise, or represent ...
3.1-796.83 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Remedies cumulative
The remedies provided for pursuant to this article are cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedy provided for by ...
3.1-796.83:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Boarding establishments and groomers; veterinary care requirem...
A. When an animal is boarded at a boarding establishment, or under the care, custody or subject to the actions of a groomer, the boarding ...
3.1-796.83:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Written notice of consumer remedies required to be supplied b...
A. A boarding establishment shall give the notice hereinafter set forth in writing to a consumer prior to the consumer's delivery of the animal to ...
3.1-796.84 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Local ordinances; penalties
The governing body of any county, city or town may, by local ordinance, require a person operating a pet shop or operating as a dealer ...
3.1-796.85 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Unlicensed dogs prohibited; local ordinances for licensing cat...
A. It shall be unlawful for any person other than a releasing agency that has registered as such annually with local animal control to own ...
3.1-796.86 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) How to obtain license
Any person may obtain a dog license or cat license if required by an ordinance adopted pursuant to subsection B of § 3.1-796.85, by making ...
3.1-796.87 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Amount of license tax.
The governing body of each county or city shall impose by ordinance a license tax on the ownership of dogs within its jurisdiction. The governing ...
3.1-796.87:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Veterinarians to provide treasurer with rabies certificate inf...
A. Each veterinarian who vaccinates a dog against rabies or directs a veterinary technician in his employ to vaccinate a dog against rabies shall provide ...
3.1-796.88 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) When license tax payable
A. The license tax as prescribed in § 3.1-796.87 is due not later than 30 days after a dog or cat has reached the age ...
3.1-796.89 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Effect of dog or cat not wearing collar as evidence
Any dog or cat not wearing a collar bearing a valid license tag shall prima facie be deemed to be unlicensed, and in any proceedings ...
3.1-796.90 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) What dog or cat license shall consist of
A dog or cat license shall consist of a license receipt and a metal tag. The tag shall be stamped or otherwise permanently marked to ...
3.1-796.91 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Duplicate license tags
If a dog or cat license tag is lost, destroyed or stolen, the owner or custodian shall at once apply to the treasurer or his ...
3.1-796.92 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Displaying receipts; dogs to wear tags
Dog and cat license receipts shall be carefully preserved by the licensees and exhibited promptly on request for inspection by any animal control officer or ...
3.1-796.93 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Governing body of county, city or town may prohibit dogs from ...
The governing bodies of the counties, cities and towns of this Commonwealth are hereby authorized to prohibit the running at large of all or any ...
3.1-796.93:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Control of dangerous or vicious dogs; penalties
A. As used in this section: "Dangerous dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or ...
3.1-796.93:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs
Any county with the urban county executive form of government may enact an ordinance which prohibits persons from training dogs on residential property to attack. ...
3.1-796.93:3 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry.
The Commissioner shall establish the Commonwealth of Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry to be maintained by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of ...
3.1-796.94 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Governing body of county, city, or town may adopt certain ordi...
A. The governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth are hereby authorized to adopt, in their discretion, ordinances that parallel §§ 3.1-796.84 ...
3.1-796.94:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl
A. Any county may, whenever, in the judgment of the board of supervisors, the same is necessary for the preservation of public health, regulate by ...
3.1-796.94:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelter...
Any city, county or town which supports, in whole or in part, an animal shelter may by ordinance provide that no person who acquires an ...
3.1-796.95 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Referendum on ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash, et...
The governing body of any city may adopt regulations or ordinances requiring that dogs within the confines of any such city be kept on a ...
3.1-796.96 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) County or city pounds; confinement and disposition of animals...
A. The governing body of each county or city shall maintain or cause to be maintained a pound and shall require dogs running at large ...
3.1-796.96:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Disposition of animals other than those in county or city poun...
No animal bearing a tag, license or tattooed identification shall be used or accepted by any person for the purpose of medical research or experimentation, ...
3.1-796.96:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affil...
A. An animal shelter may confine and dispose of animals in accordance with the provisions of subsections B through F of § 3.1-796.96. B. Each ...
3.1-796.96:3 , 3.1-796.96:4
Repealed by Acts 2003, c. 1007. ...
3.1-796.96:5 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Releasing agencies other than pounds or animal shelters; confi...
A. A releasing agency other than a pound or animal shelter: 1. May confine and dispose of companion animals in accordance with subsections B through ...
3.1-796.96:6 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Requirements for foster homes; penalty
In addition to any other requirements of this chapter, foster homes shall be subject to the following: 1. No foster home shall be operated in ...
3.1-796.96:7 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalt...
A. Any individual who finds a companion animal and (i) provides care or safekeeping, or (ii) retains a companion animal in such a manner as ...
3.1-796.97 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Evidence showing inoculation for rabies prerequisite to obtain...
No license tag shall be issued for any dog or cat unless there is presented, to the treasurer or other officer of the county or ...
3.1-796.97:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Rabies inoculation of dogs and domesticated cats; availabilit...
The owner or custodian of all dogs and domesticated cats four months of age and older shall have them currently vaccinated for rabies by a ...
3.1-796.98 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Rabid animals
When there is sufficient reason to believe that a rabid animal is at large, the governing body of any county, city or town shall have ...
3.1-796.99 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Inoculation for rabies at animal shelters
Dogs and cats being adopted from an animal shelter during the period an emergency ordinance is in force, as provided for in § 3.1-796.98 may ...
3.1-796.100 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Regulations to prevent spread of rabies and running at large o...
A. The governing body of any county, city or town may adopt such ordinances, regulations or other measures as may be deemed reasonably necessary to ...
3.1-796.101 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Disposition of funds
Unless otherwise provided by ordinance of the local governing body, the treasurer of each locality shall keep all moneys collected by him for dog and ...
3.1-796.102 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Supplemental funds
Localities may supplement the dog and cat license tax fund with other funds as they consider appropriate. However, localities shall supplement the dog and cat ...
3.1-796.103 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Payment of license tax subsequent to summons
Payment of the license tax subsequent to a summons to appear before a court for failure to pay the license tax within the time required ...
3.1-796.104 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Position of animal control officer created
The governing body of each county or city shall, or each town may, appoint an officer to be known as the animal control officer who ...
3.1-796.104:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Training of animal control officers
A. After April 1, 1999, every locality appointing animal control officers shall require that every animal control officer and deputy animal control officer completes the ...
3.1-796.105 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations...
A. No animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society or custodian of any pound or animal shelter shall (i) obtain the release or transfer of ...
3.1-796.106 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Humane investigators; qualifications; appointment; ter...
A. A circuit court may reappoint any person as a humane investigator for any locality within its jurisdiction if the person: 1. Was appointed as ...
3.1-796.106:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Revocation of appointment of humane investigators
A. Upon a motion by the attorney for the Commonwealth, the circuit court that appointed a humane investigator may revoke his appointment if he is ...
3.1-796.106:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Powers and duties of humane investigators
A. Any humane investigator may, within the locality for which he has been appointed, investigate violations of laws and ordinances regarding care and treatment of ...
3.1-796.107 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Complaint of suspected violation; investigation
A. Upon receiving a complaint of a suspected violation of this chapter, any ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter or any law for the protection ...
3.1-796.108 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Impoundment; expenses; lien; disposition of animal
When an animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer or State Veterinarian's representative finds that an apparent violation of this chapter has rendered an animal ...
3.1-796.109 Description unavailable
Repealed by Acts 1998, c. 817. ...
3.1-796.110 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Expenses of humane investigators
Neither the appointment of any humane investigator, nor the performance of any service or duty by him, shall require any locality or the Commonwealth to ...
3.1-796.111 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Preventing cruelty to animals; interference; penalty
Each animal control officer, humane investigator or State Veterinarian's representative shall interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in ...
3.1-796.112 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Enforcement authority
All law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia and State Veterinarian's representatives shall enforce the provisions of this chapter to the same extent other laws ...
3.1-796.113 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Power of search for violations of statutes against cruelty to ...
When a sworn complaint is made to any proper authority by any animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer or State Veterinarian's representative that the ...
3.1-796.114 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) When animals to be destroyed; procedure
Any humane investigator may lawfully cause to be destroyed any animal in his charge or found abandoned or not properly cared for when, in the ...
3.1-796.115 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Seizure and impoundment of animals; notice and hearing; dispos...
A. Any humane investigator, law-enforcement officer or animal control officer may lawfully seize and impound any animal that has been abandoned, has been cruelly treated, ...
3.1-796.116 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Dogs killing, injuring or chasing livestock or poultr...
It shall be the duty of any animal control officer or other officer who may find a dog in the act of killing or injuring ...
3.1-796.117 Description unavailable
Repealed by Acts 2006, cc. 837, 864, and 898. ...
3.1-796.118 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dog...
Any person who has any livestock or poultry killed or injured by any dog not his own shall be entitled to receive as compensation the ...
3.1-796.119 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Capturing, confining, and euthanizing companion animals by ani...
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer or any other officer to capture and confine any companion animal of unknown ownership found ...
3.1-796.120 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Gift, sale, or delivery of animals from pounds or animal shelt...
A. The governing body of any political subdivision shall dispose of impounded animals in accordance with the provisions of § 3.1-796.96. Any proceeds deriving from ...
3.1-796.121 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Disposal of dead companion animals
The owner of any companion animal which has died from disease or other cause shall forthwith cremate, bury, or sanitarily dispose of the same. If, ...
3.1-796.122 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Cruelty to animals; penalty
A. Any person who (i) overrides, overdrives, overloads, tortures, ill-treats, abandons, willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain not connected with bona fide scientific or medical ...
3.1-796.123 Description unavailable
Repealed by Acts 2002, c. 500, effective July 1, 2002. ...
3.1-796.124 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Animal fighting; penalty
A. No person shall knowingly: 1. Promote, prepare for, engage in, or be employed in, the fighting of animals for amusement, sport or gain; 2. ...
3.1-796.125 Description unavailable
Repealed by Acts 2008, cc. 543 and 707, cl. 2. ...
3.1-796.126 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Shooting pigeons, etc., for amusement, and renting premises fo...
Live pigeons or other birds or fowl shall not be kept or used for the purpose of a target, or to be shot at either ...
3.1-796.126:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil pen...
A. Every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to ...
3.1-796.126:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Sterilization agreement
Any agreement used by a releasing agency pursuant to subsection B of § 3.1-796.126:1 shall contain: 1. The date of the agreement; 2. The names, ...
3.1-796.126:3 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Sterilization confirmation; civil penalty
Each new owner who signs a sterilization agreement shall, within seven days of the sterilization, cause to be delivered or mailed to the releasing agency ...
3.1-796.126:4 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Notification concerning lost, stolen or dead dogs or cats; civ...
If an adopted dog or cat is lost or stolen or dies before the animal is sterilized and before the date by which the dog ...
3.1-796.126:5 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Exemptions
This article shall not apply to: 1. An owner reclaiming his dog or cat from a releasing agency; 2. A releasing agency located in a ...
3.1-796.126:6 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Releasing agency; fees and deposits
A local governing body or releasing agency may charge and collect from the new owner a fee or deposit before releasing a dog or cat ...
3.1-796.126:7 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Civil penalties
Any animal control officer, humane investigator, releasing agency, the State Veterinarian or State Veterinarian's representative shall be entitled to bring a civil action for any ...
3.1-796.126:8 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Definitions
As used in this article: "Adequate confinement" means that, while on the property of its owner and not under the direct supervision and control of ...
3.1-796.126:9 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Hybrid canine ordinance; penalty
A. Any county, city or town may, by ordinance, establish a permit system to ensure the adequate confinement and responsible ownership of hybrid canines. Such ...
3.1-796.126:10 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Hybrid canines killing, injuring or chasing livestoc...
It shall be the duty of any animal control officer or other officer who may find a hybrid canine in the act of killing or ...
3.1-796.126:11 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by hybrid canine...
Any person who has any livestock or poultry killed or injured by any hybrid canine not his own shall be entitled to receive as compensation ...
3.1-796.127 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Dogs and cats deemed personal property; rights relating theret...
All dogs and cats shall be deemed personal property and may be the subject of larceny and malicious or unlawful trespass. Owners, as defined in ...
3.1-796.127:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Dog injuring or killing other companion animals
The owner of any companion animal that is injured or killed by a dog shall be entitled to recover damages consistent with the provisions of ...
3.1-796.128 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Unlawful acts; penalties
A. The following shall be unlawful acts and constitute Class 4 misdemeanors: 1. License application. - For any person to make a false statement in ...
3.1-796.128:1 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalt...
A. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully impede or interfere with the duties performed by a dog if the person ...
3.1-796.128:2 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Selling garments containing dog or cat fur prohibited; penalt...
It is unlawful for any person to sell a garment containing the hide, fur, or pelt which he knows to be that of a domestic ...
3.1-796.129 (Repealed effective October 1, 2008) Jurisdiction of general district courts; right of appea...
Unless otherwise provided, the provisions of this article may be enforced by any general district court in cities or counties wherein the offense is committed, ...

Last modified: April 2, 2009