Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB707: An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia, relating to devocalization of dogs prohibited.
Status: Chaptered, April 13, 2026
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.
What the bill says
An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia, relating to devocalization of dogs prohibited. [S 707] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That § 54.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as devocalization of dogs; prohibition. A. As used in this section: "Cat" means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae. "Declawing procedure" means (i) an onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a phalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit of a cat in order to remove a claw; (ii.
From the enrolled text, April 13, 2026:
An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia, relating to devocalization of dogs prohibited. [S 707] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That § 54.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as devocalization of dogs; prohibition. A. As used in this section: "Cat" means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae. "Declawing procedure" means (i) an onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a phalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit of a cat in order to remove a claw; (ii) a tendonectomy or any other procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat in order to prohibit the normal movement of a claw; or (iii) any procedure that prevents the normal functioning of one or more claws of a cat. "Declawing procedure" does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement of temporary nail caps on one or more claws of a cat. "Therapeutic purpose" means any action intended (i) to address an existing or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in an animal's claw, nail bed, or toe bone that jeopardizes the animal's health, and for which addressing the infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition …