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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>69678</law_id><section_number>3.2-6589.1</section_number><catch_line>Certain training devices for elephants prohibited; attachment; civil penalty</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="12">Miscellaneous Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any person to (i) use electricity, martingales, or block and tackle, engage in physical punishment resulting in damage, scarring, or breaking of skin, or insert any instrument into any bodily orifice of an elephant to discipline an elephant; (ii) use a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, or other device designed to inflict fear or pain for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of an elephant; or (iii) brandish, exhibit, or display any device described in clause (ii) in the presence of an elephant. <a id="paragraph-251897" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6589.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A person who violates this section is subject to a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> not to exceed $2,500 for the first <span class="dictionary">offense</span> and not to exceed $5,000 for subsequent violations. Each incident during which the violation is found to have existed shall constitute a separate <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. <a id="paragraph-251898" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6589.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span>, an attorney for the Commonwealth, or the attorney for the locality may cause an action in <span class="dictionary">equity</span> to be brought in the name of the Commonwealth or of the locality, as applicable, to request an <span class="dictionary">attachment</span> for any devices described in subsection A against a person violating the provisions of this section. <a id="paragraph-251899" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6589.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2024, c. 333.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
