                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WHEN ANIMALS TO BE EUTHANIZED; PROCEDURE (§ 3.2-6563)

Any humane investigator may lawfully cause to be euthanized any animal in his
charge or found abandoned or not properly cared for when, in the judgment of the
humane investigator and two reputable citizens called to view the same in his
presence, and who shall give their written certificate, the animal appears to be
injured, disabled or diseased, past recovery, or the injury, disease or
disability is such that a reasonable owner would cause the animal to be
euthanized.
		Any humane investigator shall make every reasonable effort immediately to
notify the owner of the animal that the humane investigator intends for the
animal to be euthanized. The owner shall have a right to select one of the two
reputable citizens called to view the animal and give written certificate of the
animal&#8217;s condition. In no event shall the determination as to disposition
of the animal be delayed beyond 48 hours after such humane investigator first
decides the animal should be euthanized. In the event that the two citizens
called to give such certificate are unable to agree, they shall select a third
reputable citizen and his decision shall be final.

HISTORY: 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.83; 1986, c. 362; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.114;
1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.