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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83158</law_id><section_number>3.2-6581</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><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="11">Hybrid Canines</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this article:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Adequate confinement</span>&#x201D; means that, while on the property of its <span class="dictionary">owner</span> and not under the direct supervision and control of the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> or custodian, a <span class="dictionary">hybrid canine</span> shall be confined in a humane manner in a securely enclosed and locked structure of sufficient height and design to: (i) prevent the animal&#x2019;s escape; or if the <span class="dictionary">hybrid canine</span> is determined to be a dangerous dog pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing" href="/3.2-6540/">3.2-6540</a>, the structure shall prevent direct contact with any person or animal not authorized by the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> to be in direct contact with the <span class="dictionary">hybrid canine</span>; and (ii) provide a minimum of 100 square feet of floor space for each adult animal. Tethering of a <span class="dictionary">hybrid canine</span> not under the direct supervision and control of the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> or custodian shall not be considered <span class="dictionary">adequate confinement</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Hybrid canine</span>&#x201D; means any animal that is or can be demonstrated to be a hybrid of the domestic dog and any other species of the Canidae family; that at any time has been permitted, registered, licensed, or advertised as such; or that at any time has been described, represented, or reported as such by its <span class="dictionary">owner</span> to a licensed veterinarian, <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">animal control officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span>, official of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Health, or <span class="dictionary">State Veterinarian</span>&#x2019;s representative.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Responsible ownership</span>&#x201D; means the ownership and humane <span class="dictionary">care</span> of a <span class="dictionary">hybrid canine</span> in such a manner as to comply with all <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> regarding <span class="dictionary">hybrid canines</span> and prevent endangerment by the animal to public health and safety.</p></section></text><history>1997, c. 918, &#xA7; 3.1-796.126:8; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2014, c. 461.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
