Pet Laws & Regulations

  • All dog owners or custodians must have a current Hanover County dog license or kennel license for all dogs 4 months old or older (service dogs are not charged a fee to obtain a license).
  • Any dog deemed dangerous will be completely restricted to ensure public safety and health. Any dog deemed vicious is prohibited in Hanover County and the Town of Ashland.
  • Any dog found without a valid Hanover County dog license attached to their collar will be deemed unlicensed until his owner can prove otherwise. Hanover County will notify the owner of any animal with identification as soon as possible.
  • Cruelty to animals is prohibited. This includes anyone who ill-treats, inflicts injury, abandons, beats, maims, mutilates or kills any animal. Animals may only be shot while attacking livestock or showing active signs of rabies.
  • Dead animals must be disposed of by their owners, the property owner, or if found in a roadway, by the Virginia Department of Transportation, not animal control. Dead animals that may have transmitted rabies may be retrieved by Animal Control to submit for testing.
  • Dog and cat owners must have proof their animals have been vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age by a licensed veterinarian.
  • It is against the law to permit any dog to run at large in Hanover County in any urban service area, areas zoned residential or anywhere in the Town of Ashland. Dogs are strictly prohibited to run at large within Hanover County during the months of April, May and June.
  • It is unlawful for anyone to keep poisonous or dangerous reptiles.
  • Livestock are not permitted to be at-large at any time.\
  • Should your pet be bitten or scratched by a wild animal, report it as soon as possible to Hanover Communications at 804-365-6140. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to Animal Control. Do not go near the wild animal.
  • The ownership of any animals that fall under the definition of wild or exotic is prohibited without a permit issued by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors after a public hearing.
  • There is a limit to owning only 5 adult dogs on any property zoned AR-1 through R-6. Adult dogs are 12 months old or older.