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2013 SESSION
13104007DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-525.2 as follows:
§ 29.1-525.2. Fox and coyote enclosures; penalty.
A. It is unlawful to erect or maintain an enclosure for the purpose of pursuing, hunting, or killing or attempting to pursue, hunt, or kill any fox or coyote with a dog or dogs.
B. It is unlawful to pursue, hunt, or kill or attempt to pursue, hunt, or kill any fox or coyote with a dog or dogs within an enclosure erected or maintained for the purpose of pursuing, hunting, or killing or attempting to pursue, hunt, or kill any fox or coyote.
C. It is unlawful to:
1. Stage or participate in any competition where any fox or coyote is pursued by dogs and the fox or coyote is in an enclosure.
2. Give or accept any prize, money, compensation or other award relating to the participation in any competition where fox or coyote are pursued by a dog or dogs within an enclosure.
D. The provisions of subsections A and B shall not apply to the pursuit of fox with a dog or dogs in an enclosure (i) that operated under a permit issued by the Department prior to January 1, 2013, and (ii) for which a valid, annually issued permit has been continuously maintained. Permits shall be nontransferable to any other location or to any person other than a spouse.
E. This section shall not be construed to limit any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation pertaining to animal cruelty or neglect.
F. This section shall not preclude the pursuing, hunting, or killing of any fox or coyote by a dog or dogs in the absence of an enclosure or the killing of any fox or coyote by a landowner or tenant when the fox or coyote is doing damage to domestic stock or fowl on the owned or leased land.
G. For the purposes of this section:
"Competition" means a judged event in which a dog or dogs pursue any fox or coyote within an enclosure.
"Enclosure" includes a fence or other barrier that is used to prevent or impede the natural egress by any fox or coyote.
H. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for a first offence, a Class 2 misdemeanor for a second offence and a Class 1 misdemeanor for a third offense. This subsection shall not be construed as limiting the Department's enforcement authority of available penalties under other sections of this Code.