Local Laws & Regulations
WV Leash Law
There is a leash law throughout the state of West Virginia, which includes the City of Huntington and Cabell and
Wayne counties. Any dog not leashed is considered to be running at large.
WV Code § 19-20-13. Dog running at large; Liability of owner.
Any owner or keeper of any dog who permits such dog to run
at large shall be liable for any damages inflicted upon the person or property of another by such dog while so running at large. Acts 1925, c. 83, § 5; Acts 1951, c. 69.
WV Annual Dog Tax License
Every person owning, keeping, or harboring a dog shall pay taxes on that dog.
Taxes should be paid on the 15th of July every year. The tax tag shall be attached to the dog’s collar at all times.
City of Huntington Ordinances
Ordinance 507.08: Leash and Muzzle
Every person owning, keeping, or harboring a dog shall pay taxes on that dog.
Taxes should be paid on the 15th of July every year. The tax tag shall be attached to the dog’s collar at all times.
Ordinance 508.01/508.02: Tethering of Dogs (within the city of Huntington)
Tethering or attaching dog to a stationary object means of a chain, rope, tether, cable, or similar restraint is unlawful without the direct supervision of animal’s guardian.
Ordinance 505.01: Cruelty to Animals
A: No person shall cruelly mistreat, abandon, or withhold proper substance, including food, water, shelter, or medical treatment necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end suffering or abandon any animal to die, or use, train or possess any domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining, or maltreating any other domesticated animal.
B: No person, other than a licensed veterinarian or a person acting under the direction or with the approval of a licensed veterinarian shall knowingly or willfully administer or cause to be administered to any animal participating in any contest a controlled substance or any other drug for the purpose of altering or otherwise affecting such animal’s performance.
C: Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall forfeit his/her interest in any such animal and all interest in such animal shall vest in the humane society or county animal shelter of the county in which the conviction was rendered, and such person shall, in addition to any fine imposed, be liable for any costs incurred or to be incurred by the humane society or county animal shelter as a result.
HCW Animal Control Shelter Reclaim Policy
Dogs that come into the shelter as strays will be held for a minimum of 5 days. The owner has 5 days to reclaim their dog(s). Upon intake into the shelter, dogs are vaccinated against parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough to prevent the spread of disease. There is a $50 fee to reclaim a dog. When the owner claims their dog(s) they must pay the reclaim fee and present either copies or the actual rabies and tax tags. No dog will be given back to the owner until the proper licenses are shown to HCW Animal Control Shelter.