Cruelty to animals; possession and ownership of animals. Provides that any person convicted of felony cruelty to animals may be prohibited by the court from possession or ownership of companion or equine animals for life and any person convicted of misdemeanor cruelty to animals may be prohibited by the court from possession or ownership of such animals for a period of up to five years. Under current law, such prohibition is limited to companion animals and a period equal to the statutory maximum period of incarceration. The bill also specifies that a court may order that any animal possessed or owned by such person may be disposed of by a local governing body or delivered to another person with a right of property in the animal.
The bill further provides that any person who has his rights to possession or ownership of companion or equine animals prohibited pursuant to a felony conviction may petition the court where such conviction occurred for a restoration of his rights after five years from the date of conviction. This bill is identical to SB 11.

Statutes affected:
House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24102092D: 3.2-6570
House: Committee substitute printed 24106189D-H1: 3.2-6570
House: Printed as engrossed 24106189D-EH1: 3.2-6570
Senate: Committee substitute printed 24108127D-S1: 3.2-6570
House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB223ER): 3.2-6570
Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0179): 3.2-6570