3.2-6582 - Hybrid canine ordinance; penalty.

§ 3.2-6582. Hybrid canine ordinance; penalty.

A. Any locality may, by ordinance, establish a permit system to ensure theadequate confinement and responsible ownership of hybrid canines. Suchordinance may include requirements pertaining to: (i) the term and expirationdate of the permit; (ii) the number of hybrid canines that may be owned by apermittee; (iii) identification tags or tattooing of the animal; (iv) wherethe animal may be kept; (v) handling of the animal while not on the propertyof the owner; and (vi) information required to be provided when applying fora permit, such as the sex, color, height, vaccination records, length, oridentifying marks of the hybrid canine. The ordinance shall not require thathybrid canines be disposed of by the owner unless the owner fails to obtainor renew any required permit or violates a provision of the ordinance or anyother law pertaining to the responsible ownership of the hybrid canine. Thelocality may impose a permit fee to cover the cost of the permitting system.

B. Violation of an ordinance enacted pursuant to this section is a Class 3misdemeanor for the first violation and a Class 1 misdemeanor for anysubsequent violation. The ordinance may require a violator to surrender thehybrid canine for euthanasia in accordance with § 3.2-6562.

C. The provisions of this section shall not affect any ordinance adoptedprior July 1, 1997.

(1997, c. 918, § 3.1-796.126:9; 2008, c. 860.)