3.2-6553 - Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs. - Virginia Statutes

§ 3.2-6553. Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs.

Any person who has any livestock or poultry killed or injured by any dog nothis own shall be entitled to receive as compensation the fair market value ofsuch livestock or poultry not to exceed $400 per animal or $10 per fowl if:(i) the claimant has furnished evidence within 60 days of discovery of thequantity and value of the dead or injured livestock and the reasons theclaimant believes that death or injury was caused by a dog; (ii) the animalcontrol officer or other officer shall have been notified of the incidentwithin 72 hours of its discovery; and (iii) the claimant first has exhaustedhis legal remedies against the owner, if known, of the dog doing the damagefor which compensation under this section is sought. Exhaustion shall mean ajudgment against the owner of the dog upon which an execution has beenreturned unsatisfied.

Local jurisdictions may by ordinance waive the requirements of (ii) or (iii)or both provided that the ordinance adopted requires that the animal controlofficer has conducted an investigation and that his investigation supportsthe claim. Upon payment under this section the local governing body shall besubrogated to the extent of compensation paid to the right of action to theowner of the livestock or poultry against the owner of the dog and mayenforce the same in an appropriate action at law.

(1984, c. 492, § 29-213.87; 1986, c. 108; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.118; 1992,c. 461; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860.)