SB 872 Virginia Senate · 2018 Regular Session

Tethering animals; outdoor tethering of companion animals, definitions of adequate shelter and space

Summary
Provides that outdoor tethering of a companion animal shall not meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate shelter, unless the animal is actively engaged in an agricultural or hunting activity, when it is conducted(i) when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower or 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; (ii) during a heat advisory; or (iii) during a severe weather warning. The bill provides that a tether shall meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate space if it is four times the length of the animal or 15 feet in length, whichever is greater, and does not cause injury or pain or weigh more than one-tenth of the animal's body weight. The bill exempts agricultural animals from existing provisions related to tethering. The bill also authorizes any locality to adopt ordinances that parallel and make more stringent the state law regarding the care of companion animals.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2018
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 18, 2018 Last action Mar 6, 2018
Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
6
Feb 26, 2018
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2019 by voice vote
legislature
Feb 16, 2018
Committee
Assigned ACNR sub: Subcommittee #1
legislature
Feb 14, 2018
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
legislature
Feb 6, 2018
Legislature · Passed
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB872S1
legislature
Feb 6, 2018
Legislature · Passed
Committee substitute agreed to 18106458D-S1
legislature
Jan 18, 2018
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
legislature
Jan 18, 2018
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 18104860D
legislature
1 primary · 18 co-sponsors

Sponsors