SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2010 SESSION
10102055DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 3.2-6555 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 3.2-6555. Position of animal control officer created.
The governing body of each county or city shall, or each town
may, employ 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 employ 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 be sworn law-enforcement
officers with jurisdiction over animal control and protection
laws. All sheriffs, police officers, conservation police
officers, or other peace
officers of the Commonwealth shall be
ex officio animal control officers. Animal
control officers shall be trained in accordance with § 3.2-6556 and shall have
knowledge of the animal control and protection laws of the Commonwealth that
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 and
execute a search warrant, or a
felony warrant as necessary, providing the
execution of such warrant shall be carried out by any law-enforcement officer
as defined in § 9.1-101, to any person found in the act of
violating any such law or any ordinance enacted pursuant to such law of the
locality where the animal control officer or deputy animal control officer is
employed. Commercial dog breeding locations shall be subject to inspection by
animal control at least twice annually and additionally upon receipt of a
complaint or their own motion to ensure compliance with state animal care laws
and regulations. The animal control officer and the deputy animal control
officers shall be paid as the governing body of each locality shall prescribe.
Any locality where an animal control officer or deputy animal control officers have been employed 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 State Veterinarian, on a form provided by him, information
concerning the employment and training status of the animal control officers
employed by the locality no later than 30 days
after any change in such animal control officer's employment status or
completion of training courses required pursuant to
§ 3.2-6556. The State Veterinarian may shall require
that the locality notify him of any change in such information.