2006 Code of Virginia § 3.1-796.100 - Regulations to prevent spread of rabies and running at large of vicious dogs

3.1-796.100. Regulations to prevent spread of rabies and running at largeof vicious dogs.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may adopt such ordinances,regulations or other measures as may be deemed reasonably necessary toprevent the spread within its boundaries of the disease of rabies, and toregulate and control the running at large within its boundaries of vicious ordestructive dogs. Penalties may be provided for the violation of any suchordinances. If the ordinance declares the existence of an emergency, then theordinance shall be in force upon passage.

B. The governing body of any county that has adopted the urban countyexecutive form of government may adopt an ordinance creating a program forthe distribution of oral rabies vaccine within its boundaries to prevent thespread of rabies. An ordinance enacted pursuant to this subsection shallcontain the following provisions:

1. Notice shall be given to the owner or occupant of property prior to theentry upon the property for the purpose of the distribution of oral rabiesvaccine or the use of any other methods to place oral rabies vaccine on theproperty. Notice shall be given by (i) sending two letters by first-classmail, at successive intervals of not less than two weeks set forth in theordinance and (ii) printing a copy thereof, at least once, in a newspaper ofgeneral circulation in the locality concerned. Written notice shall be in aform approved by the governing body and shall include a description of thepurpose for which entry upon the property is to be made, the time and methodof rabies vaccine distribution at the property, and the submission deadlinefor requests by any owner or occupant of property who wishes to be excludedfrom the oral rabies vaccine distribution program.

2. The owner or occupant of property may refuse to allow the distribution oforal rabies vaccine upon such property. The ordinance shall establishprocedures to be followed by any owner or occupant who wishes to be excludedfrom the oral rabies vaccine distribution program, including the time andmethod by which requests for nonparticipation must be received. If thegoverning body receives a request for nonparticipation by the owner oroccupant of property for the distribution of oral rabies vaccine, no furtheraction shall be taken to distribute oral vaccine, on such property for aperiod of one year.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit any authority for thedistribution of oral rabies vaccine otherwise provided by law.

(1984, c. 492, 29-213.69; 1987, c. 488; 2001, c. 674.)