Virginia legal term
Animal in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Animal” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Animal” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Animal" means any nonhuman animate being endowed with the power of voluntary action. (Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3401)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Injuries to churches, church property, cemeteries, burial grounds, etc
- Maiming, killing or poisoning animals, fowl, etc
- Obstructing justice
- Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat
- Act of bioterrorism against agricultural crops or animals
- Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life
- Burial or cremation of animals or fowls which have died
- Crimes against nature
- Defrauding person having a lien on an animal
- Driving, etc., animal on track to recover damages
- False pretense in obtaining registration of cattle and other animals and giving false pedigree
- Injury to hired animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.