H. B. 4304
(By Delegate Modesitt)
[Introduced January 31, 2000; referred to the
Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact section thirteen, article twenty,
chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand
nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to assigning
liability to owners for damage done by cats permitted to run
at large and recognizing the authority of municipalities to
require dog and cat owners to restrain their animals to
prevent damage.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section thirteen, article twenty, chapter nineteen of the
code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 20. DOGS AND CATS.
S§19-20-13. Dogs and cats running at large; liability of owner.
Any owner or keeper of any dog or cat who permits such a dog
or cat to run at large shall be is liable for any damages inflicted
upon the person or property of another by such his or her dog or
cat while so running at large: Provided, That nothing contained in
this article shall be considered to abridge the authority of a
municipality to require the restraint of dogs and cats by their
owners to prevent damage to persons and property.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to assess liability to cat
owners for damages done to others by their cats and to recognize
the power of municipalities to pass ordinances requiring dog and
cat owners to restrain their animals to prevent damage to others.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.