[Added 3-20-1984]
[Amended 1-19-2021]
It shall be unlawful for any dogs to run at
large at any time within Warren County as designated by ordinance,
except when in immediate control of the owner or custodian of such
animal. A dog shall be deemed to "run at large" while roaming or running
or off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's
or custodian's immediate control. However, a dog shall not be considered
"at large" if during the hunting season it is on a bona fide hunt
in the company of a licensed hunter or during field trials or training
periods when accompanied by its owner. 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.
[Added 8-21-2012]
A.
Definition.
(1)
UNRESTRICTED
For purposes of this section, the following term shall have
the meaning indicated:
Not under the control of the owner or his agent, either by
leash, cord, chain or primary enclosure, when off the property or
premises of the owner or custodian.
B.
Prohibition. No dog shall run unrestricted, as defined above, within
the boundaries of any public park operated by Warren County Parks
and Recreation and located within the limits of Warren County but
outside the limits of the Town of Front Royal.
C.
Exceptions. This section does not apply to any dog running unrestricted
within an area located within the limits of Warren County but outside
the Town of Front Royal limits operated by Warren County Parks and
Recreation as an off-leash dog park.
[Amended 8-21-2012; 1-19-2021]
A.
Any person who permits his dog, of which he has ownership or custody, to run at large or unrestricted shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of this article and shall be punished as a Class 4 misdemeanor in accordance with the Code of Virginia and shall be subject to fines in accordance with § 66-16. In order to prepay the fine, such person must pay to the Warren County General District Court, no later than five business days prior to the court date, both a fine of $50 and a court processing fee as determined by the Warren County General District Court.
B.
The owner
or custodian of any dog found while running at large in a pack shall
be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $100 per dog so found.
The magistrate or other officer authorized to
issue criminal warrants and summonses may issue such warrant or summons
for a violation of this article upon complaint of any person, which
complaint is supported by examination under oath of the complainant
or other witnesses in accordance with § 19.2-72, et seq.,
Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.
[Amended 10-18-2011; 8-21-2012; 1-19-2021]
Upon personal observation of the Animal Control
Officer, any dog running at large or running at large in a pack or
unrestricted in violation of this article whose owner(s) or custodian(s)
the Animal Control Officer is not able to ascertain immediately may
be impounded by the Animal Control Officer and confined in a pound
or enclosure maintained in accordance with the guidelines issued by
the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, such confinement
and subsequent disposition of such animal to be as provided for in
the Code of Virginia.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 66-32, Restricted areas
enumerated, was repealed 1-19-2021.
