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VA SB261

Bill

Official Source

Status

Engrossed

2/6/2026

Primary Sponsor

William Stanley

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Adds "maliciously kills any dog or cat that is a companion animal" as a standalone Class 6 felony offense under Virginia's animal cruelty statute
  • Currently, killing a companion dog or cat is only a felony when it results from torture, willful inhumane injury, or cruel beating; the amendment removes the requirement that death result from these specific acts
  • Maintains existing felony provisions for acts causing serious bodily injury, death, or required euthanasia of companion dogs or cats due to torture or cruelty
  • Preserves exceptions for wildlife management, hunting, fishing, trapping, and farming activities
  • Estimated minimum fiscal impact of $50,000 due to potential increased imprisonment in state correctional facilities

Legislative Description

Cruelty to animals; malicious killing of a dog or cat, penalty.

Last Action

Rereferred to Appropriations

3/9/2026

Committee Referrals

Appropriations3/9/2026
Appropriations: Transportation & Public Safety3/3/2026
Appropriations3/2/2026
Courts of Justice: Criminal2/18/2026
Courts of Justice2/12/2026
Finance and Appropriations1/27/2026
Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: Companion Animals1/20/2026
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources1/12/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available