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Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions) Bird 6.4 Cat 38.4 Dog 44.8 Equine 4.3 Freshwater Fish 14.2 Saltwater Fish .8 Reptile 4.8 Small Animal 6.0
Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions) Bird 16 Cat 88.3
Dog 74.8 Freshwater Fish 142.0 Saltwater Fish 9.6 Reptile 13.4 Small Animal 24.3
* Source: Ownership
statistics are gathered from APPMA’s 2007/2008 National Pet Owners Survey HSUS July 04 Pet Overpopulation Statistics for West Virginia:
A cross section of 26 animal groups ie shelters, humane societies responded
to surveys from over 100 that were initially sent. FOHO worked
with HSUS in this attempting to gather these statistics.
While disappointed at the number of responses we were offered
a glimpse of what
some organizations in the state are doing and to guide future efforts to
gather reliable information at the individual level and statewide.
INDEX OF STATE LAWS OF WVARTICLE 10, CHAPTER 7, HUMANE OFFICERS 7-10-2 Duty of humane officers; interference with 7-10-3 Cruel treatment of animals drawing or in vehicle 7-10-4 Custody and care of animals abandoned, neglected, or cruelty treated, hearing; liability of costs; exclusions, Bonding effective date June 5, 2003 will change this law. 7-10-4a Reporting of animals abandoned, neglected or cruelly treated:enforcement 7-10-5 Destruction of animals ARTICLE 20, CHAPTER 19, DOGS AND CATS 19-20-2 Collection of head tax on dogs; duties of assessor and sheriff; registration of dogs; disposition of head tax; taxes on dogs not collected by assessor 19-20-3 Registration of dog kennels; application; fee expiration of certificate of registration 19-20-4 Forms for registration; records; registration tags; loss thereof 19-20-5 Wearing of registration tag by dog 19-20-6 County dog warden; rules and regulations for dog control; prosecution and penalties for violation of ordinances 19-20-6a Authority of county commission to contract with private society, other county or municipality for the care and control of dogs and cats 19-20-7 Dog pound and equipment to be provided by county court; exception 19-20-8 Impounding and disposition of dogs; costs and fee 19-20-8a Joint ownership, etc; by counties and muncipalities of dog pounds; joint employment of dog warden. 19-20-9 Failure to register dog or kennel; alteration or forging of registration certificate or tag, penalties 19-20-9a Dogs, cats, etc; rabies observation 19-20-10 Dog and kennel fund; disposition thereof 19-20-11 Assessment of dogs as personal property 19-20-12 Dogs; other animals and reptiles protected by law; unlawful killing thereof; aggrieved owner’s remedy; penalties; penalties for unlawful stealing of pets (On May 27th, this law changed) 19-20-13 Dogs running at large; liability of owner 19-20-14 Dog killing, wounding or worrying livestock or poultry–recovery of damages 19-20-15 Same–Assessment of damages; appraisers 19-20-16 Same–When lawful to kill a dog 19-20-17 Same–Unlawful to harbor dog; penalty 19-20-18 Same– Duty of owner to kill dog; proceeding before magistrate on failure of owner to kill 19-20-19 Offenses; criminal penalties; jurisdiction 19-20-19a Dog warden and deputy dog wardens; power to issue citations 19-20-20 Keeping vicious dogs; humane officers may kill such dogs 19-20-21 License fee for keeping vicious or dangerous dog 19-20-22 Confinement of female dogs 19-20-23 Prohibition of the use of impounded dogs and cats 19-20-24 Causing death or injury to animals used by law-enforcement officials or by fire prevention or investigation officials; criminal penalties 19-20-25 Retirement, transfer or disposal of state owned dogs and horses (New law effective March 5, 2003) ARTICLE 20A,CHAPTER 19 19-20A-2 Vaccination of dogs and cats 19-20A-3 Vaccination record and report 19-20A-4 Vaccination tag and certificate 19-20A-5 Type of vaccine to be furnished; fee 19-20A-6 Offenses and penalties 19-20A-7 Enforcement of article 19-20A-8 Vaccinated dogs and cats may run at large; confinement may be required by commissioner of agriculture within the limits of any quarantine area or locality; and ordinances or rules may be promulgated by any county commission or municipality relating to the control and management of dogs within the county; providing limited exception for hunting and farm dogs from county commission or municipality action ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 61 ARTICLE 8,CHAPTER 61 61-8-19a Animal fighting ventures prohibited 61-8-19b Increased penalties for attending animal fighting 61-8-20 Keeping or using live birds to be shot at; penalty 61-8-21 Search warrants relating to cruelty to animals 61-8-22 Search warrants relating to birds and animals kept for fighting 61-8-23 Search without warrant where there is an exhibition of the fighting birds or animals These are the animal laws that have been passed or changed since 1988. 61-8-19 Cruelty to animals; penalties; exclusions 61-8-19a Animal fighting ventures prohibited animal fighting became a felony in 2003 (with the exception of game cock 61-8-19b increased penalties for attending animal fighting, 19-20-12 Dogs; other animals and reptiles protected by law; unlawful killing thereof aggrieved owner’s remedy; penalties; penalties for unlawful stealing of pets. Around 1986 pet-napping was added to this code. It was changed again in 2003 to add intentionally to add "recklessly" kill or injure and to increase the penalties. 19-20-23 Prohibition of the use of impounded dogs and cats This was the first major bill we passed. The year was 1989 and we had a major battle with WVU. It banned pound seizure. People from all over this state stormed the statehouse and we finally became a source to be reckoned with. 19-20-24 Causing death or injury to animals used by law-enforcement, fire prevention,or investigation officials; criminal penalties 19-20-25 Retirement, transfer, or disposal of state owned dogs and horses. 7-10-4 Custody and care of animals abandoned, neglected, or cruelty treated, hearing; liability of costs; exclusions, Bonding effective date June 5, 2003 changed this law. New State Code! Thanks to Sylvia Shafer -posted 5/23/03 CODE 7-10-4 Custody and care of animals abandoned, neglected, or cruelty treated, hearing; liability of costs; exclusions, Bonding effective date June 5, 2003 changed this law. CHANGED BY HB 2301 1. The owner of the animal shall post a bond in an amount sufficient to provide reasonable costs of care, medical treatment for the animal for at least thirty days. The bond shall be filed with the court within five days following the court’s finding of probable cause. At the end of the time for which expenses are covered by the original bond if the animal remains in the care of the humane officer and the owner desires to prevent disposition of the animal by the humane officer, the owner shall post an additional bond with the court within five days of the expiration of the original bond. 2. If a bond has been posted , the custodial animal care agency may draw from the bond the actual reasonable costs incurred by the agency in providing care, medical treatment and provisions to the impounded animal from the date of the initial impoundment to the date of the final disposition of the animal. These changes to the law will accomplish the following: CODE 19-20-12 Dogs; other animals and reptiles protected by law; unlawful killing thereof; aggrieved owner’s remedy; penalties; penalties for unlawful stealing of pets. On May 27th, this law changed The purpose of this bill changes the criminal intent necessary for cruelty
to a knowing or reckless stand. If anyone kills, attempts to kill, injures,
poisons, kidnaps, steals or in any other manner causes the death or injury
of a companion animal is guilty of a misdemeanor and must perform 30 to
90 days of public service and/or pay a $300 to $500 fine. CODE 61-8-19 Cruelty to animals; penalties; exclusions The cruelty to animals code is now divided between neglect and intentional cruelty. 1. Withholding necessary food, shelter or care from such an animal is also a misdemeanor punishable by a $300 to $1,000 fine and/or up to a six month jail term. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be confined in the county or regional jail for a period of not less than ninety days nor more than one year, fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand dollars, or both. This is an increase in both of the fines. No person who has been convicted of a violation of this section may be granted probation until the defendant has undergone a complete psychiatric or psychological evaluation and the court has reviewed the evaluation. The previous law stated the evaluation was on the second offense. The court shall prohibit the possessing, owning or residing with an animal or type of animal for a period of five years following a misdemeanor conviction. This is new to the law. 2. If any person intentionally tortures or maliciously kills an animal, or causes, procures or authorizes any other person to torture or maliciously kill an animal, he or she is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in a correctional facility not less than one nor more than three years, and be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. For the purpose of this subsection, “torture” means an action taken for the primary purpose of inflicting pain. No person convicted of the provisions of this subsection may be granted probation until the defendant has undergone a complete psychiatric or psychological evaluation and the court has reviewed the evaluation. The court shall prohibit any person convicted from processing, owning or residing with any animal or type of animal for a period of fifteen years following entry of a felony conviction. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars and forfeiture of the animal. CODE 61-8-19a Animal fighting ventures prohibited 1. Cockfighting remains a misdemeanor. 2. It becomes a felony to fight all other animals whether wild or domesticated. Upon conviction, the person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars and not more than five thousand dollars, and imprisoned in a state correction facility for not less than one nor more than five years, or both fined and imprisoned. CODE 61-8-19b Increased penalties for attending animal fighting This is a new section to the code. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly attend an animal fighting venture. This was already law, but was moved into a new code. Any person convicted is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars, or confined in the county or regional jail not more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned. H.B. 2555 passed April 6, 2001 amended Article 10, chapter 7and Article 20, chapter 19 of the WV code. This related to humane destruction of animals (shooting is not acceptable as form of euthanasia and only used in emergency situation as defined in code) and clarifying liability for cost of seized animals (note here to get the code from your county but be aware that legislation affects changes in the code. Make sure your county officials are aware of current code) Article 20 Sec. 19-20-1 thru 19-20-24 Dogs and Cats: This is an all inclusive code that covers, dog registration, county dog wardens, county taxes and use for kennel fund, responsibility of county, rabies, etc. 61-8-19a Cruelty to animals; penalties; exclusions. If any person cruelly mistreats, abandons or withholds proper sustenance, including food, water, shelter or medical treatment necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end suffering or abandons any animal to die, or uses, trains or possesses any domesticated for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, or confined in the county jail not more than six months, or both so fined and confined. 19-20-8 Impounding and disposition of dogs; cost and fees: 19-20-22 - Confinement of female dogs Every person owning or harboring a female dog, whether licensed or unlicensed shall keep such dog confined in a building or secure enclosure for twenty-five days during the period of estrus. 19-20-5 Wearing of registration tag by dog Every registered dog shall at all times wear a valid registration tag issued as provided in this article. The failure to have displayed or worn on any dog, ant any time, of such valid tag shall be prima facie evidenced that such dog is not registered and such dog shall be subject to be, and shall be, impounded, sold, or destroyed as hereinbefore or hereinafter provided. Article 10 Sec. 7-10-1 thru 7-10-5 Humane Officers: This is important
since it outlines the requirement for a humane officer in your county
and also defines the duty.... 7-10-4(a) states "A humane officer
shall take possession of any animal, including birds or wildlife in captivity,
known or believed to be abandoned, neglected, deprived of necessary sustenance,
shelter or medial care or cruelly treated or used, as defined in sections
nineteen and nineteen-a 61-8-19 and 61-8-19a, article eight, chapter sixty-one
of this code (West Virginia State Code) Article 10A Sec. 30-10A-1 thru 30-10A-9 Animal Euthanasia Technicians: this is important if your shelter or facility is performing euthanasia. You must get your certification and then yearly recertify. (there is a class once a year offered in the April timeframe for certification on this) The WV Board of Veterinary Medicine can be contacted concerning this. FOHO offered a Compassion Fatigue Class in March 2000 to those wishing to obtain yearly certification in this. Article 9 19-9-1 thru 19-9-40 Agriculture Diseases Among Domestic Animals:
very important on the responsibility of the county for quarantine of animals
with communicable diseases i.e. rabies, mange, leptospirosis. (Parvo is
not listed in the code) National Animal Control Association Policies Dispositions of Animals – Euthanasia POLICY STATEMENT NACA condemns the use of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, argon, or anesthetic gasses as well as physical methods such electrocution, gunshot and blunt force trauma for animal shelter euthanasia of dogs and cats. BASIS FOR POLICY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS NACA very strongly urges agencies that are unable to legally obtain sodium pentobarbital, to work diligently towards passing legislation which would allow direct purchase by shelters, training and certification of staff. Passed 2/08/03 |
