reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 3.2-6556 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6556. Training of animal control officers

A. Every locality employing animal control officers shall require that every animal control officer and deputy animal control officer completes the following training:1. A basic animal control course that has been approved by the State Veterinarian. The basic animal control course shall include training in recognizing suspected child abuse and neglect and information on how complaints may be filed and shall be approved and implemented. Any animal control officer hired on or after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 2017, shall complete the basic animal control course within two years from the date of hire. Any animal control officer hired on or after July 1, 2017, shall complete the basic animal control course within one year from the date of hire or within two years if the officer is attending a law-enforcement academy; and2. Every three years, additional training approved by the State Veterinarian, 15 hours of which shall be training in animal control and protection.The State Veterinarian shall develop criteria to be used in approving training courses and shall provide an opportunity for public comment on proposed criteria before the final criteria are adopted.Subdivision 1 shall not apply to animal control officers or deputy animal control officers hired before July 1, 1998. The State Veterinarian may grant exemptions from the requirements of subdivision 1 to animal control officers hired on or after July 1, 1998, based on the animal control officer's previous training.The State Veterinarian shall work to ensure the availability of these training courses through regional criminal justice training academies or other entities as approved by him. Based on information provided by authorized training entities, the State Veterinarian shall maintain the training records for all animal control officers for the purpose of documenting and ensuring that they are in compliance with this subsection.B. Upon cause shown by a locality, the State Veterinarian may grant additional time during which the training required by subsection A may be completed by an animal control officer for the locality.C. Any animal control officer that fails to complete the training required by subsection A shall be removed from office, unless the State Veterinarian has granted additional time as provided in subsection B.1998, c. 817, § 3.1-796.104:1; 2002, c. 418; 2004, c. 181; 2008, c. 860; 2016, cc. 60, 172.
VA Code § 3.2-6558 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6558. Humane investigators; qualifications; appointment; term

A. A circuit court may reappoint any person as a humane investigator for any locality within its jurisdiction if the person:1. Was appointed as a humane investigator prior to July 1, 2003; and2. Has never been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect, any felony, or any crime of moral turpitude according to a criminal background check, which shall be performed by the attorney for the Commonwealth at the expense of the person seeking the appointment.B. A circuit court may appoint a person to fill a vacancy in that jurisdiction created when a humane investigator who was appointed prior to July 1, 2003, is no longer willing or eligible to be a humane investigator, provided the person seeking appointment:1. Has received a written recommendation from the administrative entity that oversees animal control in the locality where the humane investigator seeks appointment;2. Has never been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect, any felony, or any crime of moral turpitude according to a criminal background check, which shall be performed by the attorney for the Commonwealth at the expense of the person seeking the appointment; and3. Has completed a basic animal control course approved by the State Veterinarian pursuant to § 3.2-6556.C. A person residing outside the Commonwealth may be appointed as a humane investigator only if he is employed by a humane society located within the locality where he is seeking appointment.D. Reappointments of humane investigators shall be for terms of three years. Each humane investigator shall, during each term for which he is appointed, complete 15 hours of training in animal care and protection approved for animal control officers. If a humane investigator is appointed to a succeeding term before or within 30 days after his current term expires, a criminal background check shall not be required. If a humane investigator's term expires and he is not appointed to a succeeding term before or within 30 days after his current term expires, the humane investigator shall not be appointed to another term.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.75; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.106; 1998, c. 817; 2003, c. 858; 2004, c. 181; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6559 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6559. Powers and duties of humane investigators

A. Any humane investigator may, within the locality where he has been appointed, investigate violations of laws and ordinances regarding care and treatment of animals and disposal of dead animals.B. Each humane investigator shall carry during the performance of his powers and duties under this chapter an identification card issued by the locality where the humane investigator is appointed. The identification card shall include the following information regarding the humane investigator:1. His full name;2. The locality where he has been appointed;3. The name of the circuit court that appointed him;4. The signature of the circuit court judge that appointed him;5. A photograph of his face; and6. The date of expiration of his appointment.C. Each humane investigator shall record on a form approved by the administrative entity that oversees animal control every investigation he performs, maintain such record for five years, and make such record available upon request to any law-enforcement officer, animal control officer or State Veterinarian's representative. Each humane investigator shall file quarterly a report summarizing such records with the administrative agency that oversees animal control on an approved form. A humane investigator's appointment may be revoked as provided in § 3.2-6561 if he fails to file such report.1998, c. 817, § 3.1-796.106:2; 2003, c. 858; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6560 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6560. Expenses of humane investigators

Neither the appointment of any humane investigator, nor the performance of any service or duty by him, shall require any locality or the Commonwealth to pay any cost or expense incurred by or on behalf of a humane investigator. Any locality may reimburse any humane investigator appointed for that locality for reasonable expenses incurred as the result of a specific request for services from the locality.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.79; 1986, c. 362; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.110; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6561 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6561. Revocation of appointment of humane investigators

A. Upon a motion by the attorney for the Commonwealth, the circuit court that appointed a humane investigator may revoke his appointment if he is no longer able to perform the duties of a humane investigator; has been convicted of any felony, Class 1 misdemeanor, or a violation of any provision of this chapter or any other law regarding animals; or for good cause shown. The court shall notify the administrative entity that oversees animal control in the locality where the humane investigator was appointed of such revocation.B. Any law-enforcement officer may investigate any allegation that a humane investigator has violated this chapter and report his findings and recommendations to the attorney for the Commonwealth.1998, c. 817, § 3.1-796.106:1; 1999, c. 376; 2003, c. 858; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6562 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6562. Capturing, confining, and euthanizing companion animals by animal control officers; approval of drugs used

It shall be the duty of the animal control officer or any other officer to capture and confine any companion animal of unknown ownership found running at large on which the license fee has not been paid. Following the expiration of the holding period prescribed in § 3.2-6546, the animal control officer or other officer may deliver such companion animal to any person in his jurisdiction who will pay the required license fee on such companion animal. Prior to disposition by euthanasia or otherwise, all the provisions of § 3.2-6546 shall have been complied with. For all companion animals not otherwise disposed of as provided for in this chapter, it shall be the duty of the animal control officer or any other officer to euthanize such companion animals. Any person, animal control officer, or other officer euthanizing a companion animal under this chapter shall cremate, bury, or sanitarily dispose of the same.All drugs and drug administering equipment used by animal control officers or other officers to capture companion animals pursuant to this chapter shall have been approved by the State Veterinarian.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.88; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.119; 1991, c. 348; 1997, c. 159; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6562.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6562.1. Rabies exposure; local authority and responsibility plan

The local health director, in conjunction with the governing body of the locality, shall adopt a plan to control and respond to the risk of rabies exposure to persons and companion animals. Such plan shall set forth a procedure that promptly ensures the capture, confinement, isolation, or euthanasia of any animal that has exposed, or poses a risk of exposing, a person or companion animal to rabies. The plan shall identify the authority and responsibility of the local health department, law-enforcement officers, animal control officers, and any other persons with a duty to control or respond to a risk of rabies exposure. The plan shall provide for law-enforcement officers, animal control officers, and other persons to report to and be directed by the local health director for such purposes.2010, c. 834.
VA Code § 3.2-6562.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6562.2. Rabies exposure reports

Each local department of health shall make available to its local animal control officer and shall report to the State Department of Health any exposure report involving a dog bite to a human that is maintained with such local department of health through a state-mandated retention period.2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 464.
VA Code § 3.2-6563 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6563. When animals to be euthanized; procedure

Any humane investigator may lawfully cause to be euthanized any animal in his charge or found abandoned or not properly cared for when, in the judgment of the humane investigator and two reputable citizens called to view the same in his presence, and who shall give their written certificate, the animal appears to be injured, disabled or diseased, past recovery, or the injury, disease or disability is such that a reasonable owner would cause the animal to be euthanized.Any humane investigator shall make every reasonable effort immediately to notify the owner of the animal that the humane investigator intends for the animal to be euthanized. The owner shall have a right to select one of the two reputable citizens called to view the animal and give written certificate of the animal's condition. In no event shall the determination as to disposition of the animal be delayed beyond 48 hours after such humane investigator first decides the animal should be euthanized. In the event that the two citizens called to give such certificate are unable to agree, they shall select a third reputable citizen and his decision shall be final.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.83; 1986, c. 362; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.114; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6564 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6564. Complaint of suspected violation; investigation

A. Upon receiving a complaint of a suspected violation of this chapter, any ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter or any law for the protection of domestic animals, any animal control officer, law-enforcement officer, or State Veterinarian's representative may, for the purpose of investigating the allegations of the complaint, enter upon, during business hours, any business premises, including any place where animals or animal records are housed or kept, of any dealer, pet shop, groomer, or boarding establishment. Upon receiving a complaint of a suspected violation of any law or ordinance regarding care or treatment of animals or disposal of dead animals, any humane investigator may, for the purpose of investigating the allegations of the complaint, enter upon, during business hours, any business premises, including any place where animals or animal records are housed or kept, of any dealer, pet shop, groomer, or boarding establishment.Upon obtaining a warrant as provided for in § 3.2-6568, the law-enforcement officer, animal control officer, State Veterinarian's representative, or humane investigator may enter upon any other premises where the animal or animals described in the complaint are housed or kept. Attorneys for the Commonwealth and law-enforcement officials shall provide such assistance as may be required in the conduct of such investigations.B. If the investigation discloses that a violation of § 3.2-6503 has occurred, the investigating official shall notify the owner or custodian of the complaint and of what action is necessary to comply with this chapter.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.76; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.107; 1991, c. 451; 1993, c. 174; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6565 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6565. Impoundment; expenses; lien; disposition of animal

When an animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer or State Veterinarian's representative finds that an apparent violation of this chapter has rendered an animal in such a condition as to constitute a direct and immediate threat to its life, safety or health that the owner or custodian has failed to remedy, such animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer or State Veterinarian's representative may impound the animal pursuant to § 3.2-6569 in a facility that will provide the elements of good care as set forth in § 3.2-6503 and shall then proceed to take such steps as are required to dispose of the animal pursuant to § 3.2-6569.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.77; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.108; 1994, c. 387; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6566 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6566. Preventing cruelty to animals; interference; penalty

Each animal control officer, humane investigator or State Veterinarian's representative shall interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence. Any person who shall interfere with or obstruct or resist any humane investigator or State Veterinarian's representative in the discharge of his rights, powers, and duties as authorized and prescribed by law is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.80; 1986, c. 362; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.111; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 240.
VA Code § 3.2-6567 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6567. Enforcement authority

All law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth and State Veterinarian's representatives shall enforce the provisions of this chapter to the same extent other laws in the Commonwealth are enforced.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.81; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.112; 1991, c. 121; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6568 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6568. Power of search for violations of statutes against cruelty to animals

When an affidavit is made under oath before a magistrate or court of competent jurisdiction by any animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer, or State Veterinarian's representative that the complainant believes and has reasonable cause to believe that the laws in relation to cruelty to animals have been, are being, or are about to be violated in any particular building or place, such magistrate or judge, if satisfied that there is reasonable cause for such belief, shall issue a warrant authorizing any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or police officer to search the building or place. After issuing a warrant under this section, the magistrate or judge shall file the affidavit in the manner prescribed by § 19.2-54. After executing the warrant, the animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer, or State Veterinarian's representative shall return the warrant to the clerk of the circuit court of the city or county wherein the search was made.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.82; 1986, c. 362; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.113; 1994, c. 168; 1998, c. 817; 2008, cc. 543, 707, 860; 2014, c. 354.
VA Code § 3.2-6570.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6570.1. Sale of animals after cruelty or neglect conviction; penalty

Any person who has been convicted of a violation of any law concerning abuse, neglect, or cruelty to animals that sells, offers for sale, or trades any companion animal is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, a person may dispose of animals under the provisions of a court order.2008, c. 852, § 3.1-796.122:1.
VA Code § 3.2-6572 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6572. Reserved

Reserved.
VA Code § 3.2-6573 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6573. Shooting birds for amusement, and renting premises for such purposes; penalty

Live pigeons or other birds or fowl shall not be kept or used for the purpose of a target, or to be shot at either for amusement or as a test of skill in marksmanship. It is a Class 4 misdemeanor to shoot at a bird kept or used as aforesaid, or to be a party to such shooting. Any person who lets any building, room, field or premises, or knowingly permits the use thereof for the purpose of such shooting is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.Nothing contained herein shall apply to the shooting of wild game.1984, c. 492, § 29-213.94; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.126; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6574 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6574. Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil penalty

A. Every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by subdivision 2 of subsection B of this article.B. A dog or cat shall not be released for adoption from a releasing agency unless:1. The animal has already been sterilized; or2. The individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian: (i) within 30 days of the adoption, if the animal is sexually mature; or (ii) within 30 days after the animal reaches six months of age, if the animal is not sexually mature at the time of adoption.C. A releasing agency may extend for 30 days the date by which a dog or cat must be sterilized on presentation of a written report from a veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. In cases involving extenuating circumstances, the veterinarian and the releasing agency may negotiate the terms of an extension of the date by which the animal must be sterilized.D. Nothing in this section shall preclude the sterilization of a sexually immature dog or cat upon the written agreement of the veterinarian, the releasing agency, and the new owner.E. Upon the petition of an animal control officer, humane investigator, the State Veterinarian or a State Veterinarian's representative to the district court of the county or city where a violation of this article occurs, the court may order the new owner to take any steps necessary to comply with the requirements of this article. This remedy shall be exclusive of and in addition to any civil penalty that may be imposed under this article.F. Any person who violates subsection A or B of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250.1993, c. 959, § 3.1-796.126:1; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 875.
VA Code § 3.2-6575 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6575. Sterilization agreement

Any agreement used by a releasing agency pursuant to subsection B of § 3.2-6574 shall contain:1. The date of the agreement;2. The names, addresses, and signatures of the releasing agency and the new owner;3. A description of the dog or cat to be adopted;4. The date by which the dog or cat is required to be sterilized; and5. A statement printed in conspicuous, bold print, that sterilization of the dog or cat is required under this article; that a person who violates this article is subject to a civil penalty; and that the new owner may be compelled to comply with the provisions of this article.1993, c. 959, § 3.1-796.126:2; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6576 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6576. Sterilization confirmation; civil penalty

Each new owner who signs a sterilization agreement shall, within seven days of the sterilization, cause to be delivered or mailed to the releasing agency written confirmation signed by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization. The confirmation shall briefly describe the dog or cat; include the new owner's name and address; certify that the sterilization was performed; and specify the date of the procedure. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $150.1993, c. 959, § 3.1-796.126:3; 1999, cc. 627, 672; 2008, c. 860.
VA Code § 3.2-6577 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food|Chapter 65 - Comprehensive Animal Care|§ 3.2-6577. Notification concerning lost, stolen or dead dogs or cats; civil penalty

If an adopted dog or cat is lost or stolen or dies before the animal is sterilized and before the date by which the dog or cat is required to be sterilized, the new owner shall, within seven days of the animal's disappearance or death, notify the releasing agency of the animal's disappearance or death. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25.1993, c. 959, § 3.1-796.126:4; 2008, c. 860.