HD40 - Consolidation of Certain Animal Laws
Executive Summary: House Joint Resolution No. 43 of the 1983 Acts of Assembly directed the Virginia Code Commission to study the possible consolidation of Chapter 27.3 of Title 3.1, Article 7 of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 and Chapter 9.2 of Title 29 of the Code of Virginia pertaining to the Virginia Animal Welfare Act of 1977, Cruelty to Animals and the Virginia Dog Laws of 1977. In accordance with the mandate of House Joint Resolution 43, the Code Commission conducted a study on the consolidation of animal welfare, cruelty to animals and dog laws which resulted in the legislation contained in this report. The revisor's comments following each section in this report explain the source of the section and the changes made in that section. The Commission did not attempt to rewrite the laws since the resolution authorizing the study mandated a consolidation of the laws. It is the policy, purpose and intent of this consolidation to ensure that all animals wherever found and confined (animal shelters, pet shops, boarding kennels, auction markets, pounds, research facilities, transportation facilities, vehicles, etc.) are provided humane care and treatment through the regulation of the transportation, sale, purchase, housing, care, handling and treatment of animals. Owners and purchasers of animals are to be protected from misleading or fraudulent warranties regarding animals and from theft of their animals. Only animals that appear to be free of infection, communicable disease and abnormalities are to be released for sale, trade or adoption, unless subsequent veterinary care is assured. It is the intent of this consolidation to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to prevent disease, fraudulent practices and inhumane treatment and conditions through the control of animals. |
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