Virginia § 18.2-144.1 Prohibition against killing or injuring police animals; penalty

Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-144.1 — Prohibition against killing or injuring police animals; penalty

Virginia § 18.2-144.1

Title 18.2CRIMES AND OFFENSES GENERALLY

Ch. 5CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY

Art. 7DAMAGE TO AND TAMPERING WITH PROPERTY

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Bluebook

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144.1 (2026).

Text

It shall be unlawful for any person to maliciously shoot, stab, wound or otherwise cause bodily injury to, or administer poison to or expose poison with intent that it be taken by a dog, horse or other animal owned, used or trained by a law-enforcement agency, regional jail or the Department of Corrections while such animal is performing his lawful duties or is being kept in a kennel, pen or stable while off duty. A violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. The court shall order that the defendant pay restitution for the cost of any animal killed or rendered unable to perform its duties. Such cost shall include training expenses.

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It shall be unlawful for any person to maliciously shoot, stab, wound or otherwise cause bodily injury to, or administer poison to or expose poison with intent that it be taken by a dog, horse or other animal owned, used or trained by a law-enforcement agency, regional jail or the Department of Corrections while such animal is performing his lawful duties or is being kept in a kennel, pen or stable while off duty. A violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. The court shall order that the defendant pay restitution for the cost of any animal killed or rendered unable to perform its duties. Such cost shall include training expenses.