ENGROSSED
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
Senate Bill No. 147
(By Senators Jackson, Ball, Deem, Snyder, Unger and Hunter)
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[Originating in the Committee on Judiciary;
reported January 28, 2000.]
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A BILL to amend article one, chapter seven of the code of West
Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended,
by adding thereto a new section, designated section three-
gg, relating generally to authority of county commissions;
and allowing county commissions to enact ordinances
pertaining to barking dogs.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article one, chapter seven of the code of West
Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be
amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section
three-gg, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 1. COUNTY COMMISSIONS GENERALLY.
§7-1-3gg. Authority to adopt ordinance relating to barking dogs.
In addition to all other powers and duties which county
commissions now possess by law, county commissions may adopt and
enforce ordinances that require owners of dogs to prevent the
dogs from excessive barking. For purposes of this section
excessive barking is barking which unreasonably interferes with
the neighbors' peace and quiet enjoyment of his or her home or
property. The ordinances may prescribe a penalty for failure to
quiet the dog after the owner has been notified by a law-
enforcement officer or humane officer to quiet the dog and
prevent further barking.