Bill

Bill > HB2622


VA HB2622

Companion animals; notification by individuals who find animals, civil penalty.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2025
In Committee
01/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Notification by individuals finding companion animals; civil penalty. Increases from $50 to $500 the civil penalty for violating provisions requiring an individual who finds a companion animal and (i) provides care or safekeeping or (ii) retains the companion animal in such a manner as to control its activities to notify the owner of such companion animal and a public animal shelter that serves the locality where such companion animal was found and provide adequate care of such companion animal.

AI Summary

This bill modifies existing Virginia law regarding the responsibilities of individuals who find companion animals. Specifically, the bill increases the civil penalty for failing to properly notify an animal's owner and local animal shelter from $50 to $500 when someone finds a companion animal and either provides care, safekeeping, or controls the animal's activities. Under the law, the finder must make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner within 48 hours if the owner can be identified through tags, licenses, collars, tattoos, or other markings. Additionally, the finder must contact the public animal shelter in the locality where the animal was found, providing contact information, a description of the animal, and details about where the animal was found. The bill maintains the existing requirement that the finder must also comply with other relevant animal care provisions. This legislative change aims to enhance accountability and encourage more responsible behavior when individuals encounter lost companion animals by significantly increasing the potential financial consequence for non-compliance.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (on 02/04/2025)

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