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2003 SESSION

036030946
HOUSE BILL NO. 2705
Offered January 15, 2003
A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.1-796.104 of the Code of Virginia, relating to animal control officers.
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Patron-- Suit
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.1-796.104 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.1-796.104. Position of animal control officer created.

The governing body of each county or city shall, or each town may, appoint an officer to be known as the animal control officer who shall have the power to enforce this chapter, all ordinances enacted pursuant to this chapter and all laws for the protection of domestic animals. The governing body may also appoint one or more deputy animal control officers to assist the animal control officer in the performance of his duties. Animal control officers and deputy animal control officers shall have a knowledge of the animal control and protection laws of Virginia which they are required to enforce. When in uniform or upon displaying a badge or other credentials of office, animal control officers and deputy animal control officers shall have the power to issue a summons or obtain a warrant as necessary to any person found in the act of violating any such law or any ordinance enacted pursuant to such law of the locality in which the control officer or deputy animal control officer is appointed. The animal control officer and the deputy animal control officers shall be paid as the governing body of each locality shall prescribe.

Any locality in which an animal control officer or deputy animal control officers have been appointed may contract with one or more additional localities for enforcement of animal protection and control laws by the animal control officers or deputy animal control officers. Any such contract may provide that the locality employing the animal control officer or deputy animal control officers shall be reimbursed a portion of the salary and expenses of the animal control officer or deputy animal control officers.

Every locality employing an animal control officer shall submit to the Department of Criminal Justice Services, on a form provided by it, information concerning the employment and training status of the animal control officers employed by the locality. The Department may require that the locality notify the Department of any change in such information.