ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605210011
SECTION: DISCOVER PAGE: 42 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Claws & Paws
SOURCE: JILL BOWEN
Owning a pet is not as simple as adopting that cute puppy from the neighbor.
There are state and local laws every pet owner must know, and each community usually has its own rules.
In Blacksburg, it is unlawful to allow dogs to urinate or defecate on public or private property. Throughout the New River Valley, you can also be fined if your dog does not have a county tag.
State law requires all owners to provide adequate feed, water and clean shelter, with appropriate space provided for each species, given consideration for the age, size and weight of the animal. Veterinary care must be provided when necessary to prevent suffering or the transmission of disease.
However, I thought it might be helpful to summarize both the state and local legal requirements and some of the guidelines of the humane societies.
Adequate feed means supplying sufficient, nutritious food for an animal to be healthy. The food should be within easy reach of the animal and should be provided in a clean and sanitary manner. In other words, the feed containers should be washed regularly. The food should be appropriate for the age, species and health of the animal.
Adequate water means plenty of fresh, clean, drinking water at a reasonable temperature. Water bowls and troughs should be cleaned regularly. Expecting a pet to lick a frozen block of ice in its drinking bowl in winter is illegal.
The shelter must keep the pet safe from extreme heat and cold. It must give protection from rain, sleet, snow and hail, while providing shade in the summer and protection from injury.
Each animal must have sufficient space so it can stand, sit, turn around and lie down comfortably. Pets also must be protected from marauding animals.
Wire, grid or slat floors that could trap the animal's feet, or any flooring that does not protect its feet and toes from injury, are illegal. The shelter should be clean and dry with clean bedding that is changed regularly.
It is unlawful to abandon an animal, unless it is given to a shelter or pound.
It is illegal to sell, raffle or offer for sale as pets any unweaned mammal and have the new owner take possession before it is fully weaned. All owners of dogs or domesticated cats that are over four months old must have their pet vaccinated against rabies. Dog owners are also required to have a county dog license tag which is secured to the dog's collar. This license tag is renewable annually.
In most areas of Virginia, there is a dog control ordinance that requires that the dogs remain on the owner's property or be kept under the immediate control of the owner anytime the dog leaves the property. Immediate control means the dog is in sight of the owner and will respond to voice commands.
There is one exception: Hunters may run their dogs during the hunting season, provided the dog is with a licensed hunter who has permission from the owner of the property to hunt there.
If your dog is lost, contact the local animal shelter, humane society and county pound as soon as possible. Remember that Virginia law requires that dogs and cats be held only five days before disposal.
Anyone adopting a dog or cat from an animal shelter or humane society must have the animal neutered (if it has not been done). The neutering should take place within 30 days of the adoption, provided the animal is old enough and in good health.
If the pet is lost, stolen or dies before neutering, the adoption agency must be notified.
Pet owners should check with their town or county offices to see if there are any special rules and regulations in force, as the various towns and counties often have differing mandates pertaining to pets.
In Blacksburg, for example, there are a number of ordinances relating to pets. These can be found in the Blacksburg Code available at Town Hall.
Most violations of town ordinances are a misdemeanor. In Blacksburg, citizens are requested to contact the owner of any dog causing a nuisance to try and resolve matters before calling in the police.
The following ordinances are in effect for the Town of Blacksburg, but they also apply to Christiansburg, Montgomery County and the city of Radford.
One of the more important ordinances relates to rabies. The Blacksburg town manager has the power to order that all dogs be confined for a reasonable length of time whenever there is a confirmed case of rabies.
The town manager has the power to order the destruction of any rabid dog or any dog bitten by a rabid dog or other animal. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to hide a dog that has been ordered destroyed due to rabies [Sec 4-27].
There is a strict ordinance that prohibits any person who owns, harbors or has care or custody of a vicious or dangerous dog from letting it leave the property unless it is effectively restrained with a leash or chain and under the direct control of the owner or custodian. Children are not considered able to have sufficient control of a dangerous dog. The property where the dog is kept must have adequate fencing to keep the dog on the premises. Some counties even require that such dogs be muzzled when out in public.
This ordinance goes on to state that it is unlawful to own or harbor any dog for the purpose of dog fighting. It also is unlawful to train, torment, badger, bait or use any dog in such a manner as to cause or encourage the dog to make unprovoked attacks upon humans, domestic animals, livestock or fowl. Anyone in violation of this section is guilty of a class two misdemeanor and is required to pay all expenses associated with seizure and destruction of the dog, including veterinary care and boarding costs.
There are three lesser ordinances that are related to dogs and their potential nuisance.
It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to let it run at large within the town of Blacksburg. It also is unlawful to allow dogs to urinate or defecate on public or private property, unless the owner immediately removes the feces and disposes of them in a safe and sanitary manner.
The other ordinance refers to barking dogs being a nuisance. The town manager may, on behalf of the town, bring criminal or civil proceedings against any person found to be in violation after being given several warnings.
County dog wardens have the power to seize and impound any dog running loose. They can also fine any owner whose dog is not wearing a license tag or who cannot produce proof that the license fee has been paid.
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