Confinement or euthanization of rabies suspect.
Richmond, Va., City Code § 4-371
in effectSec. 4-371. - Confinement or euthanization of rabies suspect.
(a) Dogs or cats found within the City which exhibit the common symptoms of rabies or otherwise are reasonably suspected of having rabies shall be taken into custody immediately by an animal control officer or any police officer and shall be confined in a place approved by the Director, under competent observation, for such time as may be necessary to determine whether such dog or cat is afflicted with rabies.
(b) The Director shall cause to be euthanized by one of the methods approved by the State Veterinarian any dog or cat which, in the opinion of a currently licensed veterinarian, has rabies or any dog or cat for which confinement is impossible or impracticable. In such event, the Director shall have the head of such dog or cat examined for the purpose of ascertaining if the dog or cat was rabid.
(c) If there is no evidence of vaccination and it has been determined that the dog or cat does not have rabies, the dog or cat shall be vaccinated by a currently licensed veterinarian prior to release to the owner.
(d) All expenses incurred in complying with this section shall be borne by the owner of the dog or cat.
(Code 1993, § 4-97; Code 2004, § 10-292; Code 2015, § 4-371; Code 2020, § 4-371)
Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH4AN_ARTIVRACO_DIV2DOCA_S4-371COEURASUFetched: 11/8/2026