Virginia criminal charge
Maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc in Virginia
Maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144.
What is the penalty for maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 10 years (Injury/poisoning of livestock or own animal to defraud insurer — Applies when a person maliciously injures or poisons livestock of another with intent to maim/disfigure/disable/kill, or does so to his own animal to defraud an insurer.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(e))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Injury/poisoning of livestock or own animal to defraud insurer — Applies when a person maliciously injures or poisons livestock of another with intent to maim/disfigure/disable/kill, or does so to his own animal to defraud an insurer.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(e)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Injury/poisoning of fowl or companion animal - first offense — Applies when a person commits the prohibited acts against fowl or a companion animal, absent the death/euthanasia-related second offense circumstances.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Injury/poisoning of fowl or companion animal - first offense — Applies when a person commits the prohibited acts against fowl or a companion animal, absent the death/euthanasia-related second offense circumstances.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Second or subsequent offense involving death or euthanasia of animal — Applies when a person commits a second or subsequent offense against fowl or a companion animal, where the current or a previous offense resulted in the animal's death or veterinarian-recommended euthanasia due to the condition caused by the violation.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Second or subsequent offense involving death or euthanasia of animal — Applies when a person commits a second or subsequent offense against fowl or a companion animal, where the current or a previous offense resulted in the animal's death or veterinarian-recommended euthanasia due to the condition caused by the violation.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injury/poisoning of livestock or own animal to defraud insurer | class 5 felony | Applies when a person maliciously injures or poisons livestock of another with intent to maim/disfigure/disable/kill, or does so to his own animal to defraud an insurer. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144undefined |
| Injury/poisoning of fowl or companion animal - first offense | class 1 misdemeanor | Applies when a person commits the prohibited acts against fowl or a companion animal, absent the death/euthanasia-related second offense circumstances. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144undefined |
| Second or subsequent offense involving death or euthanasia of animal | class 6 felony | Applies when a person commits a second or subsequent offense against fowl or a companion animal, where the current or a previous offense resulted in the animal's death or veterinarian-recommended euthanasia due to the condition caused by the violation. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144undefined |
Common questions about maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc in Virginia
Is maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144.
Injury/poisoning of livestock or own animal to defraud insurer: class 5 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144) · Injury/poisoning of fowl or companion animal - first offense: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144) · Second or subsequent offense involving death or euthanasia of animal: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144)
What are the penalties for maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc in Virginia?
Which Virginia statute covers maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc?
Maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-144 (Maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.