                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

HYBRID CANINE ORDINANCE; PENALTY (§ 3.2-6582)

A. Any locality may, by ordinance, establish a permit system to ensure the
adequate confinement and responsible ownership of hybrid canines. Such ordinance
may include requirements pertaining to (i) the term and expiration date of the
permit; (ii) the number of hybrid canines that may be owned by a permittee;
(iii) identification tags or tattooing of the animal; (iv) where the animal may
be kept; (v) handling of the animal while not on the property of the owner; and
(vi) information required to be provided when applying for a permit, such as the
sex, color, height, vaccination records, length, or identifying marks of the
hybrid canine. The ordinance shall not require that hybrid canines be disposed
of by the owner unless the owner fails to obtain or renew any required permit or
violates a provision of the ordinance or any other law pertaining to the
responsible ownership of the hybrid canine. The locality may impose a permit fee
to cover the cost of the permitting system.

B. Violation of an ordinance enacted pursuant to subsection A is a Class 3
misdemeanor for the first violation and a Class 1 misdemeanor for any subsequent
violation. The ordinance may require a violator to surrender the hybrid canine
for euthanasia in accordance with &#xA7; 3.2-6562.

C. The provisions of subsections A and B shall not affect any ordinance adopted
prior to July 1, 1997.

D. Any locality may, by ordinance, prohibit the keeping of hybrid canines.

HISTORY: 1997, c. 918, § 3.1-796.126:9; 2008, c. 860; 2014, c. 461.