{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6557.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6557.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6557.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6557.html"}],"law_id":58132,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58132,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6557","catch_line":"Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties","history":"1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.74; 1986, c. 315; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.105; 1991, c. 65; 1993, c. 601; 1997, c. 286; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2014, c. 148; 2016, c. 678.","full_text":"A\n\nNo animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter shall (i) obtain the release or transfer of an animal by the animal’s owner to such animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian for personal gain or (ii) give or sell or negotiate for the gift or sale to any individual, pet shop, dealer, or research facility of any animal that may come into his custody in the course of carrying out his official assignments. No animal control officer, humane investigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter shall be granted a dealer’s license. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall preclude any animal control officer or humane investigator from lawfully impounding any animal pursuant to § 3.2-6569.B\n\nAn animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, humane investigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter, upon taking custody of any animal in the course of his official duties, or any representative of a humane society, upon obtaining custody of any animal on behalf of the society, shall immediately make a record of the matter. Such record shall include:1\n\nThe date on which the animal was taken into custody;2\n\nThe date of the making of the record;3\n\nA description of the animal, including the animal’s species, color, breed, sex, approximate age, and approximate weight;4\n\nThe reason for taking custody of the animal and the location where custody was taken;5\n\nThe name and address of the animal’s owner, if known;6\n\nAny license or rabies tag, tattoo, collar, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal; and7\n\nThe disposition of the animal.\n\t\t\t\tRecords required by this subsection shall be maintained for at least five years and shall be available for public inspection upon request. A summary of such records shall be submitted annually to the State Veterinarian in a format prescribed by him.C\n\nAny animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, humane investigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter who takes custody of animals in the course of his official duties or representative of a humane society who takes custody of animals on behalf of the society shall annually file with the State Veterinarian a copy of his intake policy.D\n\nAny animal control officer or custodian of any public animal shelter who violates any provision of this chapter that relates to the seizure, impoundment, and custody of animals by an animal control officer may be subject to suspension or dismissal from his position.E\n\nCustodians and animal control officers engaged in the operation of a public animal shelter shall be required to have knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth governing animals, including this chapter, as well as basic animal care.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":212983,"text":"No animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter shall (i) obtain the release or transfer of an animal by the animal’s owner to such animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian for personal gain or (ii) give or sell or negotiate for the gift or sale to any individual, pet shop, dealer, or research facility of any animal that may come into his custody in the course of carrying out his official assignments. No animal control officer, humane investigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter shall be granted a dealer’s license. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall preclude any animal control officer or humane investigator from lawfully impounding any animal pursuant to § 3.2-6569.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":212984,"text":"An animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, humane investigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter, upon taking custody of any animal in the course of his official duties, or any representative of a humane society, upon obtaining custody of any animal on behalf of the society, shall immediately make a record of the matter. Such record shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":212985,"text":"The date on which the animal was taken into custody;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":212986,"text":"The date of the making of the record;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":212987,"text":"A description of the animal, including the animal’s species, color, breed, sex, approximate age, and approximate weight;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":212988,"text":"The reason for taking custody of the animal and the location where custody was taken;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":212989,"text":"The name and address of the animal’s owner, if known;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":212990,"text":"Any license or rabies tag, tattoo, collar, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":212991,"text":"The disposition of the animal.\n\t\t\t\tRecords required by this subsection shall be maintained for at least five years and shall be available for public inspection upon request. A summary of such records shall be submitted annually to the State Veterinarian in a format prescribed by him.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":212992,"text":"Any animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, humane investigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter who takes custody of animals in the course of his official duties or representative of a humane society who takes custody of animals on behalf of the society shall annually file with the State Veterinarian a copy of his intake policy.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"D"},"10":{"id":212993,"text":"Any animal control officer or custodian of any public animal shelter who violates any provision of this chapter that relates to the seizure, impoundment, and custody of animals by an animal control officer may be subject to suspension or dismissal from his position.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":212994,"text":"Custodians and animal control officers engaged in the operation of a public animal shelter shall be required to have knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth governing animals, including this chapter, as well as basic animal care.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15216,"edition_id":1,"name":"Animal Control Officers and Humane Investigators","identifier":"7","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:07","permalink":{"id":198921,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15216,"identifier":"7","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13170,"edition_id":1,"name":"Comprehensive Animal Care","identifier":"65","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13169,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198459,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13170,"identifier":"65","token":"3.2\/V\/65","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13169,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Animals","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12793,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13169,"identifier":"V","token":"3.2\/V","url":"\/3.2\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12793,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":193939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12793,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65545,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6555","catch_line":"Position of animal control officer created","url":"\/3.2-6555\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6555","metadata":false},{"id":74461,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6556","catch_line":"Training of animal control officers","url":"\/3.2-6556\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6556","metadata":false},{"id":58132,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6557","catch_line":"Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6557\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6557","metadata":false},{"id":68988,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6558","catch_line":"Humane investigators; qualifications; appointment; term","url":"\/3.2-6558\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6558","metadata":false},{"id":71766,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6559","catch_line":"Powers and duties of humane investigators","url":"\/3.2-6559\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6559","metadata":false},{"id":75029,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6560","catch_line":"Expenses of humane investigators","url":"\/3.2-6560\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6560","metadata":false},{"id":85740,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6561","catch_line":"Revocation of appointment of humane investigators","url":"\/3.2-6561\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6561","metadata":false},{"id":86859,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6562","catch_line":"Capturing, confining, and euthanizing companion animals by animal control officers; approval of drugs used","url":"\/3.2-6562\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6562","metadata":false},{"id":57951,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6562.1","catch_line":"Rabies exposure; local authority and responsibility plan","url":"\/3.2-6562.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6562.1","metadata":false},{"id":62687,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6562.2","catch_line":"Rabies exposure reports","url":"\/3.2-6562.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6562.2","metadata":false},{"id":74859,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6563","catch_line":"When animals to be euthanized; procedure","url":"\/3.2-6563\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6563","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":74461,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6556","catch_line":"Training of animal control officers","url":"\/3.2-6556\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6556","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68988,"structure_id":15216,"section_number":"3.2-6558","catch_line":"Humane investigators; qualifications; appointment; term","url":"\/3.2-6558\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6558","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6557\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 492 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1986, chapter 315; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1991, chapter 65; in 1993, chapter 601; in 1997, chapter 286<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 817<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 148<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 678<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":66794,"section_number":"3.2-6506","catch_line":"Exceptions regarding veterinarians","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6506\/"},{"id":84667,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6546\/"},{"id":76053,"section_number":"3.2-6593.1","catch_line":"Animal testing facilities; adoption of dogs and cats","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6593.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":198931,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58132,"identifier":"3.2-6557","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6557","url":"\/3.2-6557\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6557\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/7\/3.2-6557","dublin_core":{"Title":"Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6557","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No animal control officer<\/span>, humane investigator<\/span>, humane society<\/span>, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter<\/span> shall (i) obtain the release or transfer of an animal by the animal’s owner<\/span> to such animal control officer<\/span>, humane investigator<\/span>, humane society<\/span>, or custodian for personal gain or (ii) give or sell or negotiate for the gift or sale to any individual, pet shop<\/span>, dealer<\/span>, or research facility<\/span> of any animal that may come into his custody<\/span> in the course of carrying out his official assignments. No animal control officer<\/span>, humane investigator<\/span>, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter<\/span> shall be granted a dealer<\/span>’s license. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. Nothing in this section shall preclude any animal control officer<\/span> or humane investigator<\/span> from lawfully impounding any animal pursuant to § 3.2-6569<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> An animal control officer<\/span>, law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, humane investigator<\/span>, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter<\/span>, upon taking custody<\/span> of any animal in the course of his official duties, or any representative of a humane society<\/span>, upon obtaining custody<\/span> of any animal on behalf of the society, shall immediately make a record of the matter. Such record shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The date on which the animal was taken into custody<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The date of the making of the record; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A description of the animal, including the animal’s species, color, breed, sex, approximate age, and approximate weight; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The reason for taking custody<\/span> of the animal and the location where custody<\/span> was taken; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The name and address of the animal’s owner<\/span>, if known; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Any license or rabies tag, tattoo, collar<\/span>, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The disposition<\/span> of the animal.\n\t\t\t\tRecords required by this subsection shall be maintained for at least five years and shall be available for public inspection upon request. A summary of such records shall be submitted annually to the State Veterinarian<\/span> in a format prescribed by him. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any animal control officer<\/span>, law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, humane investigator<\/span>, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter<\/span> who takes custody<\/span> of animals<\/span> in the course of his official duties or representative of a humane society<\/span> who takes custody<\/span> of animals<\/span> on behalf of the society shall annually file with the State Veterinarian<\/span> a copy of his intake policy. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any animal control officer<\/span> or custodian of any public animal shelter<\/span> who violates any provision of this chapter that relates to the seizure, impoundment, and custody<\/span> of animals<\/span> by an animal control officer<\/span> may be subject to suspension or dismissal<\/span> from his position. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Custodians and animal control officers<\/span> engaged in the operation of a public animal shelter<\/span> shall be required to have knowledge of the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth governing animals<\/span>, including this chapter, as well as basic animal care<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS AND HUMANE INVESTIGATORS; LIMITATIONS; RECORDS;\nPENALTIES (\u00a7 3.2-6557)\n\nA. No animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian\nof any public or private animal shelter shall (i) obtain the release or transfer\nof an animal by the animal’s owner to such animal control officer, humane\ninvestigator, humane society, or custodian for personal gain or (ii) give or\nsell or negotiate for the gift or sale to any individual, pet shop, dealer, or\nresearch facility of any animal that may come into his custody in the course of\ncarrying out his official assignments. No animal control officer, humane\ninvestigator, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter shall be\ngranted a dealer’s license. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1\nmisdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall preclude any animal control officer\nor humane investigator from lawfully impounding any animal pursuant to §\n3.2-6569.\n\nB. An animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, humane investigator, or\ncustodian of any public or private animal shelter, upon taking custody of any\nanimal in the course of his official duties, or any representative of a humane\nsociety, upon obtaining custody of any animal on behalf of the society, shall\nimmediately make a record of the matter. Such record shall include:\n\n 1. The date on which the animal was taken into custody;\n\n 2. The date of the making of the record;\n\n 3. A description of the animal, including the animal’s species, color,\n breed, sex, approximate age, and approximate weight;\n\n 4. The reason for taking custody of the animal and the location where custody\n was taken;\n\n 5. The name and address of the animal’s owner, if known;\n\n 6. Any license or rabies tag, tattoo, collar, or other identification number\n carried by or appearing on the animal; and\n\n 7. The disposition of the animal.\n \t\t\t\tRecords required by this subsection shall be maintained for at least five\n years and shall be available for public inspection upon request. A summary of\n such records shall be submitted annually to the State Veterinarian in a format\n prescribed by him.\n\nC. Any animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, humane investigator, or\ncustodian of any public or private animal shelter who takes custody of animals\nin the course of his official duties or representative of a humane society who\ntakes custody of animals on behalf of the society shall annually file with the\nState Veterinarian a copy of his intake policy.\n\nD. Any animal control officer or custodian of any public animal shelter who\nviolates any provision of this chapter that relates to the seizure, impoundment,\nand custody of animals by an animal control officer may be subject to suspension\nor dismissal from his position.\n\nE. Custodians and animal control officers engaged in the operation of a public\nanimal shelter shall be required to have knowledge of the laws of the\nCommonwealth governing animals, including this chapter, as well as basic animal\ncare.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.74; 1986, c. 315; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.105;\n1991, c. 65; 1993, c. 601; 1997, c. 286; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2014, c.\n148; 2016, c. 678.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}