Virginia Code 18.2-510: Burial or cremation of animals or fowls which have died.
When the owner of any animal or grown fowl which has died knows of such death, such owner shall forthwith have its body cremated or buried or request such service from an officer or other person designated for the purpose. If the owner fails to do so, any judge of a general district court, after notice to the owner if he can be ascertained, shall cause any such dead animal or fowl to be cremated or buried by an officer or other person designated for the purpose. Such officer or other person shall be entitled to recover of the owner of every such animal or fowl that is cremated or buried the actual cost of the cremation or burial and a reasonable fee to be recovered in the same manner as officers’ fees are recovered, free from all exemptions in favor of such owner. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Attorney's Note
Under the Virginia Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 4 misdemeanor | up to $250 |
Terms Used In Virginia Code 18.2-510
- person: means any individual, partnership, corporation or association. See Virginia Code 18.2-506
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the burial or cremation of the whole or portions of any animal or fowl which is to be used for food or in any commercial manner.
This section shall not apply to any county until the governing body thereof shall adopt the same.
Code 1950, § 32-70; 1979, c. 716; 1981, c. 578; 2008, c. 345.