SB1180: Dog collar; person guilty of misdemeanor if takes an electronic or radio transmitting one from dog.

SENATE BILL NO. 1180
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled January 10, 2007
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-97.1, relating to larceny of a dog collar; penalty.
Patron-- Stolle

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-97.1 as follows:

§ 18.2-97.1. Larceny of a dog collar; penalty.

Any person who commits the larceny of an electronic, radio transmitting, or other collar from a dog is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor; however, if the animal wearing the collar is lost or killed as a result of the collar theft, the person is guilty of a Class 5 felony. Upon a finding of guilt, the court shall order that the defendant pay $1,000 restitution for any dog lost or killed, or greater proven actual damages. Such proven actual damages may include training expenses and lost breeding revenues.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment.  Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and is $0 for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.