§ 3.2-6571. Animal fighting; penalty
A. No person shall knowingly: 1. Promote, prepare for, engage in, or be employed in, the fighting of animals for amusement, sport, or gain; 2. Attend an exhibition of the fighting of animals; 3. Authorize or allow any person to undertake any act described in this section on any premises under his charge or control; […]
§ 3.2-6572. Reserved
Reserved.
§ 3.2-6564. Complaint of suspected violation; investigation
A. Upon receiving a complaint of a suspected violation of this chapter, any ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter or any law for the protection of domestic animals, any animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, or State Veterinarian’s representative may, for the purpose of investigating the allegations of the complaint, enter upon, during business hours, any […]
§ 3.2-6565. Impoundment; expenses; lien; disposition of animal
When an animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer or State Veterinarian’s representative finds that an apparent violation of this chapter has rendered an animal in such a condition as to constitute a direct and immediate threat to its life, safety or health that the owner or custodian has failed to remedy, such animal control […]
§ 3.2-6566. Preventing cruelty to animals; interference; penalty
Each animal control officer, humane investigator or State Veterinarian’s representative shall interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence. Any person who shall interfere with or obstruct or resist any humane investigator or State Veterinarian’s representative in the discharge of his rights, powers, and duties as authorized […]
§ 3.2-6567. Enforcement authority
All law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth and State Veterinarian’s representatives shall enforce the provisions of this chapter to the same extent other laws in the Commonwealth are enforced. 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.81; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.112; 1991, c. 121; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
§ 3.2-6568. Power of search for violations of statutes against cruelty to animals
When an affidavit is made under oath before a magistrate or court of competent jurisdiction by any animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer, or State Veterinarian’s representative that the complainant believes and has reasonable cause to believe that the laws in relation to cruelty to animals have been, are being, or are about to […]
§ 3.2-6563. When animals to be euthanized; procedure
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, […]
§ 3.2-6556. Training of animal control officers
A. Every locality employing animal control officers shall require that every animal control officer and deputy animal control officer completes the following training: 1. A basic animal control course that has been approved by the State Veterinarian. The basic animal control course shall include training in recognizing suspected child abuse and neglect and information on […]
§ 3.2-6557. Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties
A. No animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian of any public or private animal shelter shall (i) obtain the release or transfer of an animal by the animal’s owner to such animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society, or custodian for personal gain or (ii) give or sell or negotiate for the […]