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2022 SESSION

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CHAPTER 94 An Act to amend and reenact § 3.2-6511.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to dealers; sale of dogs or cats for experimental purposes. [H 1350] Approved April 5, 2022

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.2-6511.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.2-6511.2. Dealers; importation and sale of dogs and cats; penalty.

A. No dealer or, commercial dog breeder, or cat breeder shall import for sale, sell, or offer for sale, including sale for experimental purposes, any dog or cat bred by a person who has received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pursuant to enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.) or regulations adopted thereunder, (i) a citation for a direct or critical violation or citations for three or more indirect or noncritical violations for at least two years prior to the procurement of the dog or cat or (ii) two consecutive citations for no access to the facility prior to the procurement of the dog or cat.

B. No person shall serve as an owner, director, officer, manager, operator, member of staff, or animal caregiver for a dealer or, commercial dog breeder, or cat breeder if such person has been convicted of a violation of § 3.2-6570.

C. Any person violating any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for each dog or cat imported, sold, or offered for sale.

D. As used in this section, "dealer," "commercial dog breeder," or "cat breeder" includes any person or entity that breeds dogs or cats regulated under federal law as research animals.

2. That, in the case of a dealer, commercial dog breeder, or cat breeder that breeds dogs or cats regulated under federal law as research animals, the provisions of subsection A of § 3.2-6511.2 of the Code of Virginia, as amended by this act, shall apply only to violations under clause (i) or (ii) that occur on or after July 1, 2023.