Animal Law - Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia

We have divided the topic of Animal Law into Federal, State and Local. Of most importance to West Virginia Animal Advocates is WV State Animal Code. We have that code available in the WV State Animal Code Book which we update periodically.

New 2024 edition available by summer. The 2020 edition of the WV Animal Law Book is dedicated to the WV Spay Neuter Program which was established after 7 years of legislative effort. The ASPCA provided a spay neuter grant to promote the fund which included sponsoring the new 2020 Law Book. We need to cover the cost of packing and shipping these books to you so a $13.00 donation fee is being requested. Thanks to HSUS/ASPCA/Best Friends for assisting with the past printing of our law books. Those days of getting this funding from national groups to print these books is challenging now. If you are aware of a state group or a law agency or other group that might want to assist us in any future reprinting, please let us know. Now in 2023 there is no need to reprint since no animal law passed this session or last of any significance.

WV Animal Law Books are available in the 2020 code revision. The cost for the law books has increased to $13.00 since our first printing in 2008 due to the increased cost in printing the books. Get additional copies to give out to those in your community who work with animal law. Send check to the following address or order below with your kind donation.

FOHO
P.O. Box 686
Elkins, WV 26241

If you are trying to get local authorities to check out complaints of abuse.
The sheriff has some laws to check in the code when there are complaints….
7-10-1 – Every county has humane officer by law / law enforcement must investigate all complaints
19-20-5. & 19-20-6   check for registration tags / can seize dogs without
19-20A-2. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
19-20-9 failure to register a kennel
61-8-19   protect from the elements of weather, food and water.   This is vague but any officer can interpret this to the animal’s benefit if they are inclined.
Getting complaints to proper authorities i.e.. local law enforcement, county commissioners and news media helps in these situations.   Email us for more info here.If you suspect there is a puppy mill in your area there is 19-20-26 Commercial dog breeding operations code. It does require there be 11 breeding dogs on the premises but it allows for checking by the authorities to find if they have the proper licensing, etc.    Often the law will find violations of the above code at that time too.

use this button for the donation for obtaining a book