# W. Va. Code § 19-20-20: Keeping vicious dogs; humane officers may kill such dogs

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S20

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 19-20-20
- **Heading:** Keeping vicious dogs; humane officers may kill such dogs
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 19 / Article 20 / Section 20

## Text

Except as provided in section twenty-one of this article, no person shall own, keep or harbor any dog known by him to be vicious, dangerous, or in the habit of biting or attacking other persons, whether or not such dog wears a tag or muzzle. Upon satisfactory proof before a circuit court or magistrate that such dog is vicious, dangerous, or in the habit of biting or attacking other persons or other dogs or animals, the judge may authorize the humane officer to cause such dog to be killed.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-1 §19-20-1. Dogs subject to taxation; declared to be personal property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-2 §19-20-2. Collection of head tax on dogs; duties of assessor and sheriff; registration of dogs; disposition of head tax; taxes on dogs not collected by assessor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-3 §19-20-3. Registration of dog kennels; application; fee; expiration of certificate of registration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-4 §19-20-4. Forms for registration; records; registration tags; loss thereof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-5 §19-20-5. Wearing of registration tag by dog.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-6 §19-20-6. County dog warden; rules and regulations for dog control; prosecution and penalties for violation of ordinances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-6A §19-20-6a. Authority of county commission to contract with private society, other county or municipality for the care and control of dogs and cats.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S6A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-7 §19-20-7. Dog pound and equipment to be provided by county court [county commission]; exception.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-8 §19-20-8. Impounding and disposition of dogs; costs and fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-8A §19-20-8a. Joint ownership, etc., by counties and municipalities of dog pounds; joint employment of dog wardens.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S8A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-9 §19-20-9. Failure to register dog or kennel; alteration or forging of registration certificate or tag; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S9.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-9A §19-20-9a. Dogs, cats, etc.; rabies observation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S9A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-10 §19-20-10. Dog and kennel fund; disposition thereof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S10.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 19-20-11 §19-20-11. Assessment of dogs as personal property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C19_A20_S20. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.