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1999 SESSION

993581456
HOUSE BILL NO. 1906
Offered January 15, 1999
A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.1-796.94:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local regulation of animals.
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Patrons-- Spruill, Barlow, Baskerville, Blevins, Christian, Crittenden, Drake, Guest, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C., McEachin, Melvin, Robinson, Wardrup and Williams; Senators: Marsh, Maxwell and Miller, Y.B.
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.1-796.94:1 of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.1-796.94:1. Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl.

A. Any county may, whenever, in the judgment of the board of supervisors, the same is necessary for the preservation of public health, regulate by ordinance the keeping of animals or fowl, other than dogs and cats, within a certain distance of residences or other buildings or wells, springs, streams, creeks, or brooks, and provide that all or certain of such animals shall not be kept within certain areas.

B. Any county, city, or town may prevent, by ordinance, prohibit cruelty to and abuse of animals and fowl; and may regulate or prohibit the running at large and the keeping of animals and fowl and provide for the impounding and confiscation of any such animal or fowl found at large or kept in violation of such regulations. Any such ordinance may require that owners of wild, exotic or poisonous animals found running at large pay a fee to cover the locality’s cost in capturing the animal.