University of Virginia Library

Sec. 3-25. Cruelty to animals.[94]

It shall be unlawful for any person to overdrive, overload
or to drive when overloaded or unfit for work, or deprive
of necessary sustenance, or to torture, torment, or cruelly
beat, mutilate, or cause or procure to be so overdriven, overloaded,
overworked, deprived of necessary sustenance, tortured,
tormented, cruelly beaten or mutilated, any animal,
either as owner or otherwise.

The word "animal" shall be held to include every living
dumb creature. The words "torture" and "torment" shall be
held to include every act, omission or neglect, whereby unnecessary
or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused
or permitted; and the words "owner" and "person" shall be
held to include corporations as well as individuals; and the
knowledge and acts of any person employed by corporations
in regard to animals transported, owned or employed by or
in the custody of such corporation, shall be held to be the
act and knowledge of such corporation. (Code 1959, § 3-23.)

 
[94]

For state law as to cruelty to animals, see Code of Va., § 18.1-216.

For charter provisions authorizing city to prohibit and punish the
abuse of animals, see Char., § 14.