Virginia Code 18.2-403.3: Offenses involving animals — Class 4 misdemeanors
The following unlawful acts and offenses against animals shall constitute and be punished as a Class 4 misdemeanor:
Attorney's Note
Under the Virginia Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 4 misdemeanor | up to $250 |
Terms Used In Virginia Code 18.2-403.3
- Month: means a calendar month and "year" means a calendar year. See Virginia Code 1-223
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
1. Violation of § 3.2-6566 pertaining to interference of agents charged with preventing cruelty to animals.
2. Violation of § 3.2-6573 pertaining to shooting pigeons.
3. Violation of § 3.2-6554 pertaining to disposing of the body of a dead companion animal.
4. Unless otherwise punishable under subsection B of § 3.2-6587, violation of ordinances passed pursuant to §§ 3.2-6522 and 3.2-6525 pertaining to rabid dogs and preventing the spread of rabies and the running at large of vicious dogs.
5. Violation of an ordinance passed pursuant to § 3.2-6539 requiring dogs to be on a leash.
6. Failure by any person to secure and exhibit the permits required by § 29.1-422 pertaining to field trails, night trails and foxhounds.
7. Diseased dogs. — For the owner of any dog with a contagious or infectious disease, other than rabies, to permit such dog to stray from his premises if such disease is known to the owner.
8. License application. — For any person to make a false statement in order to secure a dog or cat license to which he is not entitled.
9. License tax. — For any dog or cat owner to fail to pay any license tax required by subsection A or C of § 3.2-6530 within one month after the date when it is due. In addition, the court may order confiscation and the proper disposition of the dog or cat.
10. Concealing a dog or cat. — For any person to conceal or harbor any dog or cat on which any required license tax has not been paid.
11. Removing collar and tag. — For any person, except the owner or custodian, to remove a legally acquired license tag from a dog or cat without the permission of the owner or custodian.
12. Violation of § 3.2-6503 pertaining to care of animals by owner.
1984, c. 492; 1993, cc. 174, 817; 2017, cc. 559, 567; 2020, c. 1183.