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Dinwiddie to advertise animal‑code changes after state law increase for livestock/fowl claims
Summary
County attorneys told supervisors a proposed amendment to Chapter 4 would align Dinwiddie Code with recently enacted Senate Bill 1,000 by raising compensation limits for animals killed by dogs and would add an optional three‑year dog tag; both measures will be advertised for an October public hearing.
The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors agreed Sept. 16 to advertise two proposed amendments to Chapter 4 of the county code, which governs animals and fowl.
County attorney (presenting) said the first proposed amendment would update county liability limits to conform with Senate Bill 1,000, passed by the General Assembly earlier in 2025. “Senate Bill 1,000 raised those amounts to $1,000 and $25 respectively,” the county attorney said, referring to compensation for livestock and for fowl killed by dogs. The amendment would increase the county’s payable amounts in county code section 4‑6 to match the state levels. The amendment also would add an optional requirement — not mandated by the state law — that an animal owner first exhaust legal remedies against the dog’s owner, if known, before seeking county payment.
The second proposed amendment would create an optional three‑year dog‑license tag to be issued under policies set by the treasurer’s office; owners who do not meet the treasurer’s policy would remain eligible only for a one‑year tag. The three‑year option would not apply to kennel licenses and would be limited to individual dogs, the county attorney said. The proposal also includes minor technical edits to dog‑tag sections of Chapter 4.
Board members asked clarifying questions about implementation; Treasurer Jenny Perkins and Chief Langley indicated they would work with county staff to develop policy details for a multi‑year tag. A supervisor who spoke in favor said the three‑year option would reduce trips for residents and help avoid redundant proof of vaccination requirements.
With board consensus, staff will advertise both amendments for a public hearing and action at the board’s October meeting.
If approved later, the first amendment would change the county’s statutory payment thresholds to $1,000 per livestock animal and $25 per fowl and would add the optional exhaustion‑of‑remedies provision; exact policy language and administrative details for the three‑year tag will be developed by the treasurer and presented at the hearing.
