2006 Code of Virginia § 18.2-510 - Burial or cremation of animals or fowls which have died

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 suchdeath, such owner shall forthwith have its body cremated or buried, and, ifhe fails to do so, any judge of a general district court, after notice to theowner if he can be ascertained, shall cause any such dead animal or fowl tobe cremated or buried by an officer or other person designated for thepurpose. Such officer or other person shall be entitled to recover of theowner of every such animal so cremated or buried the actual cost of thecremation or burial, not to exceed seventy-five dollars, and of the owner ofevery such fowl so cremated or buried the actual cost of the cremation orburial, not to exceed five dollars, to be recovered in the same manner asofficers' fees are recovered, free from all exemptions in favor of suchowner. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty ofa Class 4 misdemeanor.

Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the burial or cremation ofthe whole or portions of any animal or fowl which is to be used for food orin any commercial manner.

This section shall not apply to any county until the governing body thereofshall adopt the same.

(Code 1950, 32-70; 1979, c. 716; 1981, c. 578.)