Animal Control Laws

Below are several Animal Control laws that are most frequently asked about by citizens:

• Dogs must stay in their own yards unless accompanied by an owner or caretaker. (Section 5-28:  Running at large - Prohibited.)
• Dogs and cats, four months and older, must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. (Section:  5-66 – Vaccination required.)
• Dogs and cats four months and older are required to be licensed by the County Treasurer each calendar year. (Section:  5-41 - Required.)
• The harboring or keeping of any dog that causes any sound or noise such that it is plainly audible at least once a minute for ten consecutive minutes. (Section:  5-27 – Barking or howling dogs)
• Female dogs in season must be confined so as not to constitute a public nuisance. (Section:  5-30 -  Confinement of female dogs while in season.)
• Owners must clean up after pets that defecate on private or public property. (Section 5-26: Nuisance Prohibited also see Section: 5-21 Definitions: Animal nuisance - 5).
• Dogs that are outside and not in the immediate physical presence of their owner must wear identification. (Section: 5-50 - Tag to be worn by dog; exceptions.)
• Tethering animals “adequate space” means a tether that is appropriate to the age and size of the animal; is attached to the animal by a properly applied collar, halter, or harness configured so as to protect the animal from injury and prevent the animal or tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals, or from extending over an object or edge that could result in the strangulation or injury of the animal; and is at least three (3) times the length of the animal, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail (Section:  5-21 - Definitions and state code 3.2-6500).
• Lot boundary lines constitute fences.  The boundary line of each lot or tract of land in the county is hereby constituted a lawful fence as to any livestock and poultry domesticated by man, except as otherwise provided in section 5-38, residential chicken keeping. (Section: 5-2 – Lot boundary lines…) 
• Owners are subject to summonses and possible fines for violations.
  • Dogs that attack other animals or humans may be impounded until a court hearing. If found to be vicious or dangerous, the dog may be destroyed, removed, or otherwise confined. (Section: 5-26.1 – Dangerous dogs; vicious dog; penalties; procedures.)
  • No owner shall allow his or her dog, cat, or other animal to be a nuisance. A court may order these animals sterilized, removed, destroyed, or otherwise confined. (Section: 5-34 - Penalties.)
  • Dogs and cats that bite or scratch a human must be quarantined by an Animal Control Officer for a period of 10 days. These are confined to the owner's property under the order of the Health Department as a rabies control measure. Failure to comply is a criminal offense. (Section: 5-71 - Quarantine.)

Owners must provide their pets with the following:

• Adequate food, fresh water, shelter, and exercise space. Veterinary care and treatment. (VA Code 3.2-6503)
• Humane care and treatment. (VA Code 3.2-6569)
• Failure to properly provide for a pet constitutes cruelty and can result in confiscation of the animal by Animal Control Officers, as well as criminal prosecution. (VA Code 3.2-6570)

Convictions are punishable by any or all of the following: fine / jail sentence/loss of the animal.

NOTE: Due to ongoing updates to local and state laws, verify the validity of the guidance above by checking the Roanoke County Local Ordinances and/or the Code of Virginia.