Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 730: Cruelty to animals; malicious killing of a dog or cat, penalty.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 730 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Cruelty to animals; malicious killing of a dog or cat, penalty. Primary sponsor: Will Davis (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Courts of Justice.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Cruelty to animals; malicious killing of a dog or cat; penalty. Creates, under the animal cruelty provisions, a Class 6 felony for any person who maliciously kills any dog or cat that is a companion animal whether belonging to him or another. Currently, such felony applies only to a person who (i) tortures, willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain not connected with bona fide scientific or medical experimentation, or cruelly and unnecessarily beats, maims, or mutilates any dog or cat that is a companion animal whether belonging to him or another and (ii) as a direct result causes serious bodily injury to such dog or cat that is a companion animal, the death of such dog or cat that is a companion animal, or the euthanasia of such animal on the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian upon determination that such euthanasia was necessary due to the condition of the animal.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Davis | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 39 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Courts of Justice
- Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB730)
- Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/14/2026 9:08 am)
- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103441D