Bill Text: VA SB1367 | 2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Dogs running at large in packs; local ordinance, civil penalty.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-18 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0562) [SB1367 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SB1367-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §3.2-6538 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§3.2-6538. Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty.
The governing body of any Any locality may by
ordinance prohibit the running at large of all or any category of dogs,
except dogs used for hunting, in all or any designated portion of such
locality during such months as they it may designate.
Governing bodies Any such locality may also require that dogs be
confined, restricted, or penned up during such periods. For the purpose
of this section, a dog shall be deemed to run at large while roaming,
or running or self-hunting off the property of its owner or
custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. Any person
who permits his dog to run at large, or remain unconfined, unrestricted,
or not penned up shall be deemed to have violated an ordinance adopted
pursuant to the provisions of this section. Such ordinance shall provide
that the owner or custodian of any dog found running at large in a pack shall
be subject to a civil penalty in an amount established by the locality not to
exceed $100 per dog so found. For the purpose of such ordinance, a dog shall be
deemed to be running at large in a pack if it is running at large in the
company of one or more other dogs that are also running at large. Any civil
penalty collected pursuant to such ordinance shall be deposited by the
treasurer of the locality pursuant to the provisions of §3.2-6534.
