§ 18.2-403.3 Offenses involving animals — Class 4 misdemeanors
The following unlawful acts and offenses against animals shall constitute and be punished as a Class 4 misdemeanor:
1. Violation of § 3.2-6566 pertaining to interference of agents charged with preventing cruelty to animals.
2. Violation of § 3.2-6573 pertaining to shooting pigeons.
3. Violation of § 3.2-6554 pertaining to disposing of the body of a dead companion animal.
4. Unless otherwise punishable under subsection B of § 3.2-6587, violation of ordinances passed pursuant to §§ 3.2-6522 and 3.2-6525 pertaining to rabid dogs and preventing the spread of rabies and the running at large of vicious dogs.
5. Violation of an ordinance passed pursuant to § 3.2-6539 requiring dogs to be on a leash.
6. Failure by any person to secure and exhibit the permits required by § 29.1-422 pertaining to field trails, night trails and foxhounds.
7. Diseased dogs. — For the owner of any dog with a contagious or infectious disease, other than rabies, to permit such dog to stray from his premises if such disease is known to the owner.
8. License application. — For any person to make a false statement in order to secure a dog or cat license to which he is not entitled.
9. License tax. — For any dog or cat owner to fail to pay any license tax required by subsection A or C of § 3.2-6530 within one month after the date when it is due. In addition, the court may order confiscation and the proper disposition of the dog or cat.
10. Concealing a dog or cat. — For any person to conceal or harbor any dog or cat on which any required license tax has not been paid.
11. Removing collar and tag. — For any person, except the owner or custodian, to remove a legally acquired license tag from a dog or cat without the permission of the owner or custodian.
12. Violation of § 3.2-6503 pertaining to care of animals by owner.
History
This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 492 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1993, chapters 174 and 817; in 2017, chapters 559 and 567; in 2020, chapter 1183.
1984, c. 492; 1993, cc. 174, 817; 2017, cc. 559, 567; 2020, c. 1183.