A. The governing body of any locality of the Commonwealth may adopt, and make more stringent, ordinances that parallel §§ 3.2-6521 through 3.2-6539, 3.2-6546 through 3.2-6555, 3.2-6562, 3.2-6569, 3.2-6570, 3.2-6574 through 3.2-6580, and 3.2-6585 through 3.2-6590. Any town may choose to adopt by reference any ordinance of the surrounding county adopted under this section to be applied within its town limits, in lieu of adopting an ordinance of its own.
Any funds collected pursuant to the enforcement of ordinances adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section may be used for the purpose of defraying the costs of local animal control, including efforts to promote sterilization of cats and dogs.
B. Any locality may, by ordinance, establish uniform schedules of civil penalties for violations of specific provisions of ordinances adopted pursuant to this section. Civil penalties may not be imposed for violations of ordinances that parallel § 3.2-6570. Designation of a particular violation for a civil penalty shall be in lieu of criminal sanctions and preclude prosecution of such violation as a criminal misdemeanor. The schedule for civil penalties shall be uniform for each type of specified violation and the penalty for any one violation shall not be more than $150. Imposition of civil penalties shall not preclude an action for injunctive, declaratory or other equitable relief. Moneys raised pursuant to this subsection shall be placed in the locality's general fund.
An animal control officer or law-enforcement officer may issue a summons for a violation. Any person summoned or issued a ticket for a scheduled violation may make an appearance in person or in writing by mail to the department of finance or the treasurer of the locality issuing the summons or ticket prior to the date fixed for trial in court. Any person so appearing may enter a waiver of trial, admit liability, and pay the civil penalty established for the offense charged.
1976, c. 182, § 15.1-29.1:1; 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.64; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.94; 1993, c. 959; 1994, cc. 115, 630; 1995, c. 832; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 817; 2005, c. 304; 2008, c. 860; 2009, c. 107.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food
Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care
§ 3.2-6501. Regulations and guidelines
§ 3.2-6501.1. Regulations for the keeping of certain animals
§ 3.2-6503. Care of companion animals by owner; penalty
§ 3.2-6503.1. Care of agricultural animals by owner; penalty
§ 3.2-6504. Abandonment of animal; penalty
§ 3.2-6504.1. Civil immunity; forcible entry of motor vehicle to remove unattended companion animal
§ 3.2-6506. Exceptions regarding veterinarians
§ 3.2-6507. Injured or sick animal; action by veterinarian
§ 3.2-6507.1. Business license required
§ 3.2-6507.2. Commercial dog breeding; requirements
§ 3.2-6507.4. Concurrent operation of releasing agency prohibited
§ 3.2-6507.6. Duty of attorneys for the Commonwealth
§ 3.2-6508. Transporting animals; requirements; penalty
§ 3.2-6508.1. Sale of dogs or cats prohibited in certain places
§ 3.2-6509. Misrepresentation of animal's condition; penalties
§ 3.2-6509.1. Disclosure of animal bite history; penalties
§ 3.2-6511. Failure of dealer or pet shop to provide adequate care; penalty; report
§ 3.2-6511.1. Pet shops; procurement of dogs; penalty
§ 3.2-6511.2. Dealers; importation and sale of dogs and cats; penalty
§ 3.2-6513.1. Pet shops; posting of information about dogs
§ 3.2-6513.2. Rental or lease of dog or cat prohibited; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6514. Consumer remedies for receipt of diseased animal upon certification by veterinarian
§ 3.2-6515. Written notice of consumer remedies required to be supplied by pet dealers
§ 3.2-6517. Remedies cumulative
§ 3.2-6521. Rabies inoculation of companion animals; availability of certificate; rabies clinics
§ 3.2-6523. Inoculation for rabies at public or private animal shelters
§ 3.2-6524. Unlicensed dogs prohibited; ordinances for licensing cats
§ 3.2-6525. Regulations to prevent spread of rabies
§ 3.2-6526. What dog or cat license shall consist of
§ 3.2-6527. How to obtain license
§ 3.2-6528. Amount of license tax
§ 3.2-6529. Veterinarians to provide treasurer with rabies certificate information; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6530. When license tax payable
§ 3.2-6531. Displaying receipts; dogs to wear tags
§ 3.2-6532. Duplicate license tags
§ 3.2-6533. Effect of dog or cat not wearing a license tag as evidence
§ 3.2-6534. Disposition of funds
§ 3.2-6535. Supplemental funds
§ 3.2-6536. Payment of license tax subsequent to summons
§ 3.2-6537. Ordinances; penalties
§ 3.2-6537.1. Cash bond for a pet shop obtaining certain dogs
§ 3.2-6538. Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6539. Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash
§ 3.2-6540. Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing
§ 3.2-6540.01. Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding
§ 3.2-6540.02. Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty
§ 3.2-6540.03. Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty
§ 3.2-6540.04. Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty
§ 3.2-6540.1. Vicious dogs; penalties
§ 3.2-6541. Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs
§ 3.2-6541.1. Authority to prohibit ownership of particular breed
§ 3.2-6542. Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry
§ 3.2-6542.1. Renewal of dangerous dog registration
§ 3.2-6542.2. Dangerous dog fees; local fund
§ 3.2-6543. Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances
§ 3.2-6543.1. Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance
§ 3.2-6544. Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl
§ 3.2-6545. Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelters
§ 3.2-6547. Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition
§ 3.2-6550. Requirements for foster homes; penalty
§ 3.2-6551. Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalty
§ 3.2-6552. Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry
§ 3.2-6553. Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs
§ 3.2-6554. Disposal of dead companion animals
§ 3.2-6555. Position of animal control officer created
§ 3.2-6556. Training of animal control officers
§ 3.2-6557. Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties
§ 3.2-6558. Humane investigators; qualifications; appointment; term
§ 3.2-6559. Powers and duties of humane investigators
§ 3.2-6560. Expenses of humane investigators
§ 3.2-6561. Revocation of appointment of humane investigators
§ 3.2-6562.1. Rabies exposure; local authority and responsibility plan
§ 3.2-6562.2. Rabies exposure reports
§ 3.2-6563. When animals to be euthanized; procedure
§ 3.2-6564. Complaint of suspected violation; investigation
§ 3.2-6565. Impoundment; expenses; lien; disposition of animal
§ 3.2-6566. Preventing cruelty to animals; interference; penalty
§ 3.2-6567. Enforcement authority
§ 3.2-6568. Power of search for violations of statutes against cruelty to animals
§ 3.2-6570. Cruelty to animals; penalty
§ 3.2-6570.1. Sale of animals after cruelty or neglect conviction; penalty
§ 3.2-6571. Animal fighting; penalty
§ 3.2-6573. Shooting birds for amusement, and renting premises for such purposes; penalty
§ 3.2-6574. Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6575. Sterilization agreement
§ 3.2-6576. Sterilization confirmation; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6577. Notification concerning lost, stolen or dead dogs or cats; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6579. Releasing agency; fees and deposits
§ 3.2-6582. Hybrid canine ordinance; penalty
§ 3.2-6583. Hybrid canines killing, injuring or chasing livestock
§ 3.2-6584. Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by hybrid canines
§ 3.2-6585. Dogs and cats deemed personal property; rights relating thereto
§ 3.2-6585.1. Duty to identify; scanning for microchip
§ 3.2-6586. Dog injuring or killing other companion animals
§ 3.2-6587. Unlawful acts; penalties
§ 3.2-6588. Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty
§ 3.2-6589. Selling garments containing dog or cat fur prohibited; penalty
§ 3.2-6590. Jurisdiction of general district courts; right of appeal
§ 3.2-6592.1. Breeding cats and dogs for experimental purposes
§ 3.2-6593. Enforcement; civil action; penalty
§ 3.2-6593.1. Animal testing facilities; adoption of dogs and cats
§ 3.2-6595. Direct contact with dangerous captive animals prohibited