The following words used in this chapter shall
have the following meanings:
All livestock and poultry.
Any nonhuman vertebrate species except fish. For the purposes of § 62-20, "animal" means any nonhuman species susceptible to rabies.
A facility which is used to house or contain animals and
which is owned, operated or maintained by a duly incorporated humane
society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty
to animals, animal rescue group or any other organization devoted
to the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals.
A well-fitted device, appropriate to the age and size of
the animal, attached to the animal's neck in such a way as to prevent
trauma or injury to the animal.
The humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method
that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death or
by a method that involves anesthesia, produced by an agent which causes
painless loss of consciousness and death during such loss of consciousness.
A person who has been appointed by a circuit court as a humane
investigator as provided in § 3.1-796.106 of the Code of
Virginia.
Any establishment in which five or more canines or hybrids
are kept for the purpose of breeding, hunting, training, renting,
buying, boarding, selling or showing.
Includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals; equine
animals; ovine animals; porcine animals; and animals of the genus
Lama.
Any person who has a right of property in an animal, keeps
or harbors an animal, has an animal in his care or acts as custodian
of an animal.
Includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.
A facility operated by the commonwealth or any locality for
the purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned
or unwanted animals; or a facility operated for the same purpose under
a contract with any County, city, town or incorporated society for
the prevention of cruelty to animals.
The Board of Supervisors may promulgate rules
and regulations or guidelines consistent with the objectives and intent
of this chapter and of state law concerning the charge for impoundment
of animals and operation of the pound.
A.
The position of animal control officer is hereby created.
The animal control officer shall have the power to enforce this chapter,
all ordinances enacted pursuant to this chapter and all laws for the
protection of domestic animals. When in uniform or upon displaying
a badge or other credentials of office, animal control officers and
deputy animal control officers (if any are appointed) shall have the
power to issue a summons to any person found in the act of violating
any such law or any ordinance of the County enacted pursuant to state
law.
B.
Shenandoah County may contract with one or more additional
localities for enforcement of animal protection and control laws by
the animal control officers or deputy animal control officers. Any
such contract may provide that the locality employing the animal control
officer or deputy animal control officers shall be reimbursed a portion
of the salary and expenses of the animal control officer or deputy
animal control officers.
The animal control officer and deputy animal
control officer shall be trained as required by state law.
