Tethering of animals; adequate shelter and space. (SB1025)

Introduced By

Progress

✓	Introduced
☐	Passed Committee
☐	Passed House
☐	Passed Senate
☐	Signed by Governor
☐	Became Law

Description

Tethering of animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that outdoor tethering of a companion animal does not meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate shelter, unless the animal is actively engaged in an agricultural or hunting activity, when tethering is conducted (i) when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; (ii) during a heat advisory; or (iii) during a severe weather warning. The bill provides that a tether meets the requirement that an animal be given adequate space if the tether is four times the length of the animal or 15 feet in length, whichever is greater, and does not cause injury or pain, weigh more than one-tenth of the animal's body weight, or have weights or heavy objects attached to it. Current law provides that the tether be three times the length of the animal. The bill exempts agricultural animals from existing provisions related to tethering. The bill also authorizes any locality to adopt ordinances that parallel and make more stringent the state law regarding the care of companion animals. Amends § 3.2-6500, § 3.2-6543, of the Code of Virginia. Read the Bill »

Status

10/17/2018: Awaiting a Vote in the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee

History

Date	Action
10/17/2018	Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19100082D
10/17/2018	Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources