# 20 V.S.A. § 3545: Right to kill domestic pets or wolf-hybrids generally

> Vermont · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3545

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 V.S.A. § 3545
- **Heading:** Right to kill domestic pets or wolf-hybrids generally
- **Jurisdiction:** Vermont
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** VT Code / Title 20 / Chapter 193 / Section 3545

## Text

(a) A person may kill a domestic pet or wolf-hybrid that suddenly assaults him or her or when necessary to discontinue an attack upon the person, or another person, provided that the attack or assault does not occur while the domestic pet or wolf-hybrid is restrained, within an enclosure containing the domestic pet or wolf-hybrid, or on the premises of the owner.

(b) A domestic pet or wolf-hybrid found wounding, killing, or worrying another domestic pet or wolf-hybrid, a domestic animal, or fowl may be killed when the attendant circumstances are such that the killing is reasonably necessary to prevent injury to the animal or fowl that is the subject of the attack.

## Nearby sections

- [20 V.S.A. § 3541 § 3541. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3541.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3541a § 3541a. Feral animals; responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3541a.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3545 § 3545. Right to kill domestic pets or wolf-hybrids generally](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3545.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3546 § 3546. Investigation of vicious domestic pets or wolf-hybrids; order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3546.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3548 § 3548. Application to unorganized towns and gores; supervisors](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3548.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3549 § 3549. Domestic pets or wolf-hybrids; regulation by towns](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3549.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3550 § 3550. Penalties; enforcement; municipal legislative body; Secretary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3550.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3551 § 3551. Search warrants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3551.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3581 § 3581. General requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3581.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3581a § 3581a. Immunization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3581a.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3582 § 3582. Dogs or wolf-hybrids obtained after April 1](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3582.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3583 § 3583. Domestic pets and wolf-hybrids kept for breeding purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3583.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3587 § 3587. Dogs brought into State](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3587.md)
- [20 V.S.A. § 3588 § 3588. Issuance of licenses; record of licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3588.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T20_C193_S3545. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.