§ 4-23. Running at large prohibited.

(a)

No person shall permit any dog to run at large within the county at any time during the year. The animal warden and deputy animal wardens are authorized to catch all dogs found running at large and house them in the county animal shelter.

(b)

In addition to the penalty provided in section 4-29(a)(3) for a violation of section 4-23(a), the owner or custodian of any dog found running at large in a pack shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100.00 per dog so found. A dog shall be deemed to be running at large in a pack if it is running at large in the company of one or more other dogs that are also running at large. Any civil penalty collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited by the treasurer of the county pursuant to the provisions of Code of Virginia § 3.2-6534, as amended.

(c)

For purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to run at large while roaming or running off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. It does not include a dog that is engaged with its owner in lawful hunting, training for hunting or field trials in conjunction with a hunting, training or field trial seasons authorized by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as long as the dog is wearing a collar with a tag showing the owner's name, address and telephone number.

(Code 1978, § 5-6; Ord. of 7-24-19(1), § 1)

State Law reference— Authority to prohibit dogs running at large, Code of Virginia, §§ 3.2-6525, 3.2-6538.

(Code 1978, § 5-6; Ord. of 7-24-19(1), § 1)

State law reference

Authority to prohibit dogs running at large, Code of Virginia, §§ 3.2-6525, 3.2-6538.