House Bill 144 - Orrock
Animal Control Officer Training. Current language requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the State Veterinarian to approve training standards for basic training and continuing education for animal control officers. This bill removes the Department of Criminal Justice Services from the language. (Amends 3.1-796.104, 3.1-796.104:1 and 3.1-796.106) .

House Bill 242 - Nutter
Dogs attacking dogs and cats, and causing serious injury or death. This bill specifies that if a dog or cat is attacked on its owner's property by a dog so as to cause injury or death, the owner of the injured dog or cat may use all reasonable and necessary force against the dog at the time of the attack to protect his dog or cat. Such owner may be presumed to have taken necessary and appropriate action to defend his dog or cat and shall therefore be presumed not to have violated this subsection. (Amends 3.1-796.122).

House Bill 1018 - Dillard
Alternatives to student dissection of animals. This bill requires school divisions to provide students with alternatives to animal dissection in relevant public school courses or curriculum and directs the Board of Education to develop guidelines for the use of detailed models of animal anatomy and computer simulations as alternatives to dissection and notification of students and parents of the option to decline to participate in animal dissection. (Adds section 22.1-200.01).

House Bill 1007 - Rust
Homeowners insurance; exclusions for dangerous or vicious animals. This bill authorizes the issuer of a homeowner's policy, with the insured's written consent, to exclude from coverage any liability resulting from an injury caused by a dangerous or vicious animal owned by or in the care, custody, or control of the insured if such animal has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or companion animal. (Amends 38.2-2127) This bill incorporates HB 1332.

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