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Town Of Vienna Animal Regulation Ordinances


Licenses & Vaccinations

Dogs four months old must be licensed annually and vaccinated against rabies. License tags will be sold only upon presentation of a certificate that the dog was inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Dog tags cost $5.00 per year for neutered animals and $10.00 for fertile animals. To obtain a $5.00 license, certification must be provided that the animal has been neutered by a veterinarian or is infertile. All dogs must have license tags securely attached to a collar and worn whenever the dog is off the owner's property. Cats over three months old must be inoculated against rabies but are not required to be licensed.

Dogs that are trained and serving as guide dogs for the blind, or hearing dogs for the deaf / hearing impaired, or service dogs for the mobility-impaired, are exempt from the license tax.

Dogs at large - prohibited

It is against the law to allow animals to run at large on public property or private property of others. Dogs must be restrained by a dependable leash and controlled by a responsible person when off the property of the owner.

Dogs can not run at large according to Town Code 3-6.

Animals Creating Nuisance

It is against the law to allow animals to trespass on, destroy or damage another person's property. Animals must not continually make loud and objectionable noises or be kept in such a manner as to cause unsanitary conditions.

Vicious Animals

Owners of vicious animals must keep them confined and not permit them to be a danger to people. It is against the law to keep wild or exotic animals as pets.

Cruelty to Animals

It is against the law to maliciously kill, disfigure or poison any animal. All pets must be humanely treated with proper food, water, shelter and exercise. It is also against the law to overload, torture or cruelly beat any animal.

Reporting Injured Animals

Any vehicle operator who strikes a domestic animal must stop (unless stopping would endanger human life), render assistance as possible and report the injury or death to the animal's owner. If the owner cannot be identified, the accident should be reported to the Department of Animal Control or the Police. Injury or death of wild animals should also be reported.

Disposal of Dead Animals

The owner of any animal or fowl that has died is responsible for having the body cremated or buried. The State Highway Department is responsible for pickup of dead animals on State right-of-ways. Phone 703-273-0660. Citizens may bring deceased pets to the animal shelter for cremation at no charge.

Animals that Have Bitten Humans

If your pet bites any person, you must notify the Department of Animal Control or the Police. Confine the animal for 10 days for rabies observation. (This may be done at the County Animal Shelter, a licensed veterinary hospital or at your home, if approved by the Animal Warden and you have a valid rabies certificate for your pet. If quarantined at home, the animal must be kept confined in an enclosure where he cannot bite again.) If you are bitten by an animal, it is required that it be immediately reported to the Department of Animal Control or the Police.

Wild Animal Problems

If you have problems with wild animals such as squirrels or raccoons, you may rent a humane box trap from the Animal Shelter. A deposit is required, but this is refunded upon return of the trap to the Shelter. For details, call the County Game Warden at 703-830-3310. It is against Town ordinance to keep wild animals as pets.

Adoption of Pets

Dogs and cats are available for adoption at the Animal Shelter Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An adoption fee of $5.00 for cats and $10.00 for dogs is charged. All dogs and cats adopted must be neutered and 50% of the cost of spaying or neutering is collected at the time of adoption and paid to the veterinarian following the surgery.
At the time of adoption, a certificate is provided that authorizes a free physical examination of the animal from any of the participating veterinarians, and which is good for neutering of the animal at a reasonable price under a reduced cost program offered as a public service by Northern Virginia veterinarians. Both dogs and cats are inoculated with one shot of vaccine for distemper at the time they enter the shelter.
A legally binding adoption contract must be signed agreeing to humanely house and treat the animal, have the animal neutered and other reasonable rules concerning the welfare of the animal.

Redemption of Impounded Pets

Visit the Animal Shelter Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may re-deem your dog, within five days of impoundment, if it is impounded at the Animal Shelter, by:

  • Presentation of a valid rabies certificate, and a current dog license.
  • Payment of a $15.00 fee plus $8.00 board fee for each day the dog was impounded after the first day.
  • Purchase of a dog license, if the dog is not currently licensed.
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES:
  • Uniform enforcement of Town of Vienna and Sate Laws.
  • Removal of stray dogs and livestock from streets and public areas, eliminating potential health and safety hazards.
  • Investigation of animal cruelty complaints.
  • Large animal/Livestock Services. A small barn is available for temporary housing of large animals.
  • Sale of dog licenses at Town Hall and by mail.
  • Provision of temporary housing for all stray and unwanted animals.
  • Quarantine services for animals that have bitten humans.
  • Radio dispatched vehicles for roving patrols and law enforcement.
  • Animal Adoptions. An adoption fee is charged and 50% of the neutering cost collected for deposit.
Your Animal Warden

The Animal Warden is responsible for enforcing State Laws and Town Ordinances dealing with animal control and cruelty to animals. His primary function is to help and protect citizens while dealing with animals as humanely as possible. The cooperation and assistance of all citizens, however, is necessary to provide for good human/animal relationships in our Town.

Vienna Animal Warden's Office
703-255-6377 (for animal violations) also by e-mail: Animal.Warden@viennava.gov or police@viennava.gov

Animal Shelter
703-830-1100 (lost, stray, found animals)
4500 West Ox Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Fairfax County Game Warden
703-830-3310


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