Dogs; devocalization, prohibited, exception, penalty.
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia, relating to devocalization of dogs prohibited.” Read the full text
2026 session
What it does
Devocalization of dogs prohibited. Makes it unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine to perform a surgical devocalization procedure on a dog, except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm.
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Introduced · Jan 14, 2026
Acts of Assembly Chapter 829 (latest official status)
Latest official status shown, exactly as the official record states it. The step by step history lives on the official page linked below.
The numbers
1
sponsor on the bill
Sponsors
J.D. "Danny" Diggs
Recorded votes
Passed House (89-Y 10-N 0-A)House of Delegates · 2026-03-02 · P · Y 89, N 10
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (19-Y 3-N)House of Delegates · 2026-02-25 · P · Y 19, N 3
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-02-13 · P · Y 38, X 2
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-02-13 · P · Y 38, X 2
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-02-12 · P · Y 40
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Senate · 2026-02-11 · P · Y 15
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)Senate · 2026-02-03 · P · Y 14, X 1
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the Virginia legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter 829.