Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org579203.2-6504Abandonment of animal; penalty202518.2-403.13.2-65063.2-6569Agriculture, Animal Care, and FoodDomestic AnimalsComprehensive Animal CareAnimal Welfare

No person shall abandon or dump any animal. Violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of an animal by its owner to a public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency.

1984, c. 492, § 29-213.43; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.73; 1993, c. 174; 2002, cc. 351, 787; 2003, c. 1007; 2008, c. 860; 2014, c. 148; 2018, c. 416.