§ 5-7-95. Patrol dog requirements.

No permit for a patrol dog shall be issued until nor remain valid unless the director is satisfied that the following requirements have been and are being met:

(1)

Each dog shall be tattooed with an individual number on the inside of the hind leg. The director is hereby authorized to establish an appropriate numbering system for this purpose; provided, however, that no dog shall be required to be tattooed a second time in order to comply with this article and any clear symbol or symbols previously tattooed on a dog shall be deemed satisfactory for the purpose of this article.

(2)

The dog shall have and wear at all times a collar to which is attached a metal tag with the name, address and telephone number of its owner and/or custodian imprinted on it. Either the collar must be a substantial one and of bright orange color or the metal tag must be at least one and one-half (1½) inches in diameter and of bright orange color.

(3)

The dog is able to respond to the following commands by its handler, each of which shall be given the weight indicated in parentheses:

a.

At the handler's side and on lead:

1.

"sit" (semi-critical);

2.

"down" (semi-critical);

3.

"heel" (semi-critical);

4.

"stay" (critical).

b.

At a distance of 10 feet from the handler and off lead or a combination of on and off lead;

1.

Same as above.

2.

On a command of "stay," the dog must remain in a heel or sit position off leash and not attack when approached within four (4) feet by a person (critical).

3.

The dog must cease pursuit of an agitator upon command, e.g., "stop," "halt" or "out," etc. (critical) and then return to the handler on the command of "heel" (semi-critical).

c.

One (1) physical correction per four (4) commands is allowed. Dogs failing to respond to commands deemed critical shall not be evaluated as satisfactory for the purpose of this section. The director may require evaluation of any patrol dog at least annually and as often as he or she deems necessary to ensure the public health, safety and welfare.

(4)

The handler or handlers of the patrol dog shall be registered as a guard dog handler with the Virginia Department of Commerce pursuant to the provisions of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, and shall also be registered with the director. The permit for the patrol dog shall be restricted to use in the city only by and with such a registered handler.