Senate Bill 306
Patron: Senator Edwards
House Bill 707
Patron: Delegate Armstrong
This bill provides that it is a Class 6 felony to cause the death of a dog or cat by willfully and maliciously torturing or inflicting inhumane injury or pain or cruelly beating, maiming or mutilating such animal.
House Bill 1012 (Delegate Scott) was identical to House Bill 707 so it was incorporated into House Bill 707.

Senate Bill 235
Patron: Senator Hanger
Section L is removed from 3.1-796.115 that states that adequate care shall only apply to companion animals. This provision has forced judges to give animals back to those who starve them. This bill also adds the federal definition of soring of horses, and includes the soring of horses as cruelty to animals.

House Bill 773
Patron: Delegate Watts
Animal control officers are required to receive training in the recognition of child abuse and neglect and information on how complaints may be filed.

Senate Bill 260
Patron: Senator Watkins
Definitions of "companion animal rescue agency" and "foster home," are added and requirements for operating companion animal rescue agencies and foster homes are established. The bill also sets out separate registration requirements for companion animal rescue agencies and pounds and animal shelters that use foster homes. Companion animal rescue agencies are not inspected by the State Veterinarian prior to accepting animals and are not required to meet pound regulations set forth by the Department. Instead, a companion animal rescue agency must self-certify and inspect any foster homes used prior to placing an animal in the home to determine if the home meets the basic owner standards of care as set out in § 3.1-796.68 plus additional requirements. The self-certification and inspection reports are to be filed with the State Veterinarian. Companion animal rescue agencies must register with the Department annually and foster homes must self-certify twice a year that they are continuing to meet the basic owner standards of care with the companion animal rescue agency. Pounds and animal shelters that use foster homes to keep animals accepted by the pound or shelter must inspect those foster homes prior to placing an animal. The bill also prohibits any person who has ever been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment from adopting an animal from, or working for or operating, any humane society, animal shelter, companion animal rescue agency or foster home. Also, this bill prohibits any person who has ever been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment from being on the board of directors of a pound or animal shelter. Animal shelters must meet the requirements specified in the code but not the pound regulations.

House Bill 941
Patron: Delegate Morgan
Senate Bill 133
Patron: Senator Stolle
This bill delays the effective date of the penalty provisions for animal pounds and shelters that are violating regulations adopted by the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services from January 1, 2002, to January 1, 2003. This bill contains a retroactive clause and an emergency enactment provision.

Senate Bill 417
Patron: Senator Rerras
House Bill 501
Patron: Delegate Albo
The power to enforce laws relating to animal pounds and shelters is expanded by authorizing the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to bring an action to enjoin violations of the Animal Control Law or the regulations pursuant thereto. The Commissioner may request the Attorney General to bring such an action. Currently, the Commissioner may request only an action for civil penalties for violations.

House Bill 1357
Patron: Delegate O'Bannon
A definition of animal "dumping" is added to animal welfare laws. To "dump" means to knowingly desert, forsake or absolutely give up any dog, cat or other companion animal in any public place including the right-of-way of any public highway, road or street or on the property of another.

To obtain bill copies: 804-698-1500 or http://legis.state.va.us/