No County Leash Law, Rabies Vaccines, and County Tag requirement

Sec. 5-71. - Unlicensed dogs prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to own a dog four months old or over unless such dog is licensed, as required by the provisions of this division.

Sec. 5-106. - Vaccination required.

All dogs and cats four months of age and older shall be vaccinated for rabies.

Sec. 5-74. - Displaying receipts; dogs to wear tags.

Dog license receipts shall be carefully preserved by the licensees and exhibited promptly on request for inspection by any animal control officer. Dog license tags shall be securely fastened to a substantial collar by the owner or custodian and worn by such dog, and it shall be unlawful for the owner to permit any licensed dog six months old or over to run or roam at large at any time without a license tag. The owner of the dog may remove the collar and license tag required by this section:

When the dog is engaged in lawful hunting;

When the dog is competing in a dog show;

When the dog has a skin condition that would be exacerbated by the wearing of a collar;

When the dog is confined; or

When the dog is under the immediate control of its owner.

  • Sec. 5-76. - How to obtain license.

Any person residing in the county may obtain a dog license by making oral or written application to the treasurer, accompanied by the amount of license tax and current certificate of vaccination as required by this division. The treasurer or other officer charged with the duty of issuing dog licenses shall only have authority to license dogs of resident owners or custodians who reside within the boundary limits of the county and may require information to this effect from any applicant. Upon receipt of proper application and current certificate of vaccination as required by this division, the treasurer or other officer charged with the duty of issuing dog licenses shall issue a receipt for the amount of the license tax, on which he shall record the name and address of the owner or custodian, the date of payment, the year for which issued, the serial number of the tag, whether male, unsexed female, female or kennel, and deliver the metal license tags or plates provided for herein. The information thus received shall be retained by the treasurer, open to public inspection, during the period for which such license is valid. The treasurer may establish substations in convenient locations in the county and appoint agents for the collection of the license tax and issuance of such license.

(Code 2000, § 4.24)

State Law reference— Similar provision, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.86. 

  • Sec. 5-77. - Evidence showing inoculation for rabies prerequisite to obtaining dog license.

No license tag shall be issued for any dog unless there is presented to the treasurer or other officer of the county charged by law with the duty of issuing license tags for dogs, at the time application for license is made, evidence satisfactory to him showing that such dog has been inoculated or vaccinated against rabies by a currently licensed veterinarian or currently licensed veterinary technician who was under the immediate and direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian on the premises.

(Code 2000, § 4.25)

State Law reference— Similar provision, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.97.

Sec. 5-78. - License tax amounts.

Dog license taxes shall be as follows:

  • Individual dog license: $10.00.
  • For a kennel of 1 to 20 dogs: $50.00.
  • For a kennel of 21 or more dogs: $50.00

5-4. - Certain animals running at large on highways, etc.

Animals dangerous to traffic. It shall be unlawful for any owner or possessor of any horse, cattle, hog, sheep or other animal negligently to drive such animal upon a public highway, or to allow such animal to stray upon such highway, or to tie or graze such animal in such a way as to be dangerous to traffic.