2006 Code of Virginia § 3.1-796.128:1 - Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty

3.1-796.128:1. Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty.

A. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully impede orinterfere with the duties performed by a dog if the person knows or hasreason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. A violation of thissubsection is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

B. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully injure a dogif the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leaderdog. A violation of this subsection is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

"Guide or leader dog" means a dog that (i) serves as a dog guide for ablind person as defined in 51.5-60 or for a person with a visualdisability, (ii) serves as a listener for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person asdefined in 51.5-111, or (iii) provides support or assistance for aphysically disabled or handicapped person.

(1995, c. 209.)