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Animal Control can be reached through the
Southampton Sheriff's Office at
(757) 653-2100

Animal Control is a function that is directed and managed under the Lieutenant of the Detention Division of Southampton Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office currently has two deputy sheriffs who are trained and assigned to Animal Control as their primary function. Animal Control is responsible for a number of functions to include but not limited to the following:

• Checks and verifies current animal licenses and rabies certificates
• Promotes humane treatment of animals and prevention of cruelty
• Secures and transports to the pound any stray or abandoned dog
• Issues summons or warrants when applicable for violations

The following are public awareness issues regarding animal control as it relates to animal owners in Southampton County:

• Dog Licenses are due by January 31st of each year.
• Both dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age by a licensed veterinarian.
• Livestock are not permitted to be at-large at anytime.
• Dead animals must be disposed of by their owners, the property owner, or if found in the roadway, by the Virginia Department of Transportation. This is not a function of Animal Control.
• Cruelty to animals is illegal and includes anyone who tortures, ill-treats, abandons, willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain, or who cruelly beats, maims, mutilates, or kills an animal or fowl.
• The ownership of any animal that falls under the definition of wild or exotic is prohibited without a permit issued by the Southampton County Board of Supervisor after a public hearing.
• It is unlawful for anyone to keep any poisonous or dangerous reptiles.
• Rabies is a prevalent occurrence in Southampton County. Anyone who has been bitten by a wild animal should immediately seek medical attention and also report this as soon as possible to Animal Control at (757) 653-2100 and to the Southampton County Health Department (757) 653-3040.
• Animal Control no longer handles cats in Southampton County. They will, however, assign citizens, upon request, cat traps to be utilized and then returned to Animal Control.

Animal Control can be reached through the Southampton Sheriff's Office at
(757) 653-2100