CHAPTER 162

An Act to amend and reenact § 29-197 of the Code of Virginia, relating to
dogs killing or injuring livestock or poultry. S99
[ ]

Approved February 28, 1956

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
ba That § 29-197 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as
ollows:
§ 29-197. It shall be the duty of any warden who may find a dog in the
act of killing, injuring, worrying or chasing sheep, or killing or injuring
other livestock, to kill such dog forthwith whether such dog bears a tag or
not, and any person finding a dog committing any of the depredations
mentioned in this section, shall have the right to kill such dog on sight.
The governing body of any county, or any trial justice or other court, shall
have the power to order the game warden or other officer to kill any dog
know to be a confirmed poultry killer, and any dog killing fowls for the
third time shall be considered a confirmed poultry killer. Any warden or
other person who has reason to believe that any dog is killing livestock, or
committing any of the depredations mentioned in this section, * shall apply
to a justice of the peace of the county, city or town wherein such dog may
be, who shall issue a warrant requiring the owner or custodian, if known,
CHS. 162, 163, 164] ACTS OF ASSEMBLY 165

to appear before the trial justice at a time and place named therein, at which
time evidence shall be heard, and if it shall appear that such a dog is a
livestock killer, or has committed any of the depredations mentioned in this
section, the dog shall be ordered killed immediately, which the warden, or
other officer designated by the trial justice to act, shall do. This section
as hereby amended shall not apply to any proceeding, civil or criminal,
pending in any court in this State at the time of the effective date of this act.