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2015 SESSION
15101860DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 3.2-6511.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-6508.1 and by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6517.1 as follows:
§ 3.2-6508.1. Sale of dogs or cats prohibited in certain places.
It is unlawful for any person to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease, or display for a commercial purpose any dog or cat on or in any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park, or recreation area; flea market or other outdoor market; or commercial parking lot, regardless of whether such act is authorized by the landowner. This section shall not apply to the display of dogs or cats by or the adoption of dogs or cats from a humane society or public animal shelter as those terms are defined in § 3.2-6500 or to the display of dogs or cats as part of a state or county fair exhibition, 4-H program, or similar exhibition or educational program.
§ 3.2-6511.1. Pet shops; procurement of dogs; penalty.
A. It is unlawful for a
pet shop to A pet shop shall sell
or offer for sale any dog procured
from a dog procured only
from a humane society or public animal shelter as those
terms are defined in § 3.2-6500 or from
a person who is not a dealer or
licensed by meets the dog
breeding requirements set forth in § 3.2-6507.2 and
who has not been cited by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture pursuant to for a direct or no access violation pursuant
to enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare
Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.) or regulations adopted thereunder for at least three
years prior to the procurement of the dog.
B. It shall be unlawful for any commercial dog breeder who is
not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.) or regulations adopted thereunder
to sell any dog to a pet shop, unless such
commercial dog breeder maintains a valid and current USDA dealer's permit.
C. A pet shop shall retain records verifying compliance with this section for a minimum of two years after the disposition of any dog.
D. Any person violating any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for each dog sold or offered for sale.
§ 3.2-6517.1. Authorization for more stringent ordinances.
Any locality may adopt an ordinance that is more stringent than the provisions set forth in this article.