RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Multiple new laws going into effect on July 1 in Virginia hope to help crack down on animal cruelty in the Commonwealth.
Following the 2024 General Assembly session Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed several bills into law including bills to create an animal cruelty registry and restrict ownership for convicted animal cruelty offenders.
Animal cruelty registries will soon be an option for localities to use for the public. Here, the public could find the name and any relevant information for a person convicted of certain felony offenses for animal cruelty.
According to the bill as it was introduced, a person included on the registry could request to remove their name after 15 years if there aren’t any additional felony convictions of animal cruelty.
In regards to the ownership of animals, starting next week, a person who is convicted of a felony for animal cruelty may be prohibited by a judge from owning another animal for life, while a person convicted of a misdemeanor may be prohibited ownership for up to five years.