{"data":{"id":"us-va/va.-code-3.2-6588","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"Va. Code § 3.2-6588","heading":"Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty","body":"A. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully impede or interfere with the duties performed by a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. A violation of this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.B. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully injure a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\"Guide or leader dog\" means a dog that: (i) serves as a dog guide for a blind person as defined in § 51.5-60 or for a person with a visual disability; (ii) serves as a listener for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person as defined in § 51.5-111; or (iii) provides support or assistance for an individual with a physical disability.1995, c. 209, § 3.1-796.128:1; 2008, c. 860; 2023, cc. 148, 149.","path":["Title 3.2. Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","Subtitle V. Domestic Animals","Chapter 65. Comprehensive Animal Care","Article 12. Miscellaneous Provisions"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/3.2-6588/","current_through":"9/4/2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:19Z","sha256":"be026b3355dc3c908735622857a24aa38aa29f754cc6a3437e135c56506cbb9b","source_id":"us-va","stale":true,"prev":"us-va/va.-code-3.2-6587","next":"us-va/va.-code-3.2-6589"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}