                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

LOCAL ANIMAL CRUELTY REGISTRIES (§ 3.2-6573.1)

A. Any locality may establish, organize, and maintain a computerized animal
cruelty registry as a database of information regarding persons convicted of a
felony violation of (i) cruelty to animals as provided by &#xA7; 3.2-6570; (ii)
animal fighting as provided by &#xA7; 3.2-6571; (iii) maiming, killing, or
poisoning an animal as provided by &#xA7; 18.2-144; or (iv) killing or injuring
a police animal as provided by &#xA7; 18.2-144.1. Information on such registry
may include the name and address of the offender at the time of conviction as
well as the offense for which the offender was convicted and the date and place
of conviction. Access to such registry may be made available to the public on
the website of the locality or local police department.

B. On a form promulgated by a locality or local police department, a person may
request removal of his name and information from a registry established in
subsection A not less than 15 years after the violation that warranted inclusion
in the registry, provided he has no additional felony convictions of an offense
listed in subsection A.

C. A locality that has established a registry pursuant to subsection A may adopt
ordinances and develop forms to implement the provisions of this section,
including the operation and maintenance of a registry and the removal of records
on persons who are deceased, whose convictions have been reversed or who have
been pardoned, or who have requested removal pursuant to subsection B.

D. All costs to establish, organize, and maintain a locality&#8217;s animal
cruelty registry pursuant to this section shall be borne by such locality.

HISTORY: 2024, cc. 712, 758.