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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>71766</law_id><section_number>3.2-6559</section_number><catch_line>Powers and duties of humane investigators</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>3.2-6506</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="V">Domestic Animals</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="65">Comprehensive Animal Care</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="7">Animal Control Officers and Humane Investigators</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span> may, within the locality where he has been appointed, investigate violations of <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> regarding <span class="dictionary">care</span> and <span class="dictionary">treatment</span> of <span class="dictionary">animals</span> and disposal of dead <span class="dictionary">animals</span>. <a id="paragraph-258551" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Each <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span> shall carry during the performance of his powers and duties under this chapter an identification card issued by the locality where the <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span> is appointed. The identification card shall include the following information regarding the <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span>: <a id="paragraph-258552" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> His full name; <a id="paragraph-258553" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The locality where he has been appointed; <a id="paragraph-258554" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The name of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> that appointed him; <a id="paragraph-258555" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The signature of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span> that appointed him; <a id="paragraph-258556" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> A photograph of his face; and <a id="paragraph-258557" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The date of expiration of his appointment. <a id="paragraph-258558" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Each <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span> shall record on a form approved by the administrative entity that oversees animal control every investigation he performs, maintain such record for five years, and make such record available upon request to any <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">animal control officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">State Veterinarian</span>&#x2019;s representative. Each <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span> shall file quarterly a report summarizing such records with the administrative agency that oversees animal control on an approved form. A <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span>&#x2019;s appointment may be revoked as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Revocation of appointment of humane investigators" href="/3.2-6561/">3.2-6561</a> if he fails to file such report. <a id="paragraph-258559" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6559/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1998, c. 817, &#xA7; 3.1-796.106:2; 2003, c. 858; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
