Virginia Code 3.2-6587: Unlawful acts; penalties
A. The following shall be unlawful acts and are Class 4 misdemeanors:
Attorney's Note
Under the Virginia Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | up to 12 months | up to $2,500 |
Terms Used In Virginia Code 3.2-6587
- Animal: means any nonhuman vertebrate species except fish. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Department: means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. See Virginia Code 3.2-100
- Humane: means any action taken in consideration of and with the intent to provide for the animal's health and well-being. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Ordinance: means any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance adopted by the governing body of any locality. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Owner: means any person who: (i) has a right of property in an animal; (ii) keeps or harbors an animal; (iii) has an animal in his care; or (iv) acts as a custodian of an animal. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
1. For any person to make a false statement in order to secure a dog or cat license to which he is not entitled.
2. For any dog or cat owner to fail to pay any license tax required by this chapter before February 1 for the year in which it is due. In addition, the court may order confiscation and the proper disposition of the dog or cat.
3. For any dog owner to allow a dog to run at large in violation of an ordinance passed pursuant to § 3.2-6539.
4. Unless otherwise punishable under subsection B, for any person to fail to obey an ordinance passed pursuant to §§ 3.2-6522 and 3.2-6525.
5. For any owner to fail to dispose of the body of his companion animals in accordance with § 3.2-6554.
6. For the owner of any dog or cat with a contagious or infectious disease, other than rabies, to permit such dog or cat to stray from his premises if such disease is known to the owner.
7. For any person to conceal or harbor any dog or cat on which any required license tax has not been paid.
8. 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.
9. Any other violation of this chapter for which a specific penalty is not provided.
B. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to:
1. Present a false claim or to receive any money on a false claim under the provisions of § 3.2-6553.
2. Impersonate a humane investigator.
3. Permit a dog or cat that he owns or is in his custody to stray from his premises when he knows or has been told by the local health department, law-enforcement agency, animal control agency, or any other person who has a duty to control or respond to a risk of rabies exposure that the dog or cat is suspected of having rabies.
1984, c. 492, § 29-213.99; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.128; 1993, cc. 174, 775, 817; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2020, c. 1183.