Animal Control

Mecklenburg County Animal Control is for the protection of domestic animals (livestock) and companion animals. Animal Control Officers and Deputy Animal Control Officers are knowledgeable of the animal control and protection laws of Virginia and the County's ordinances they are required to enforce. They have the power to issue summonses or obtain felony warrants as necessary in the process of enforcing these laws and ordinances.

Animal Control Officers answer Mecklenburg County citizens' calls regarding animal complaints in a timely and professional manner with documentation of each complaint. Upon taking or obtaining custody of an animal on behalf of society, they immediately make a record of that matter.

Such documentation includes:

  • The date on which the animal was taken into custody
  • The date record made
  • A description of the animal including the animal's species, color, breed, sex, approximate age, and approximate weight
  • The reason for taking custody of the animal and the location where custody was taken
  • The name and address of the animal's owner, if known
  • Any license or rabies tag, tattoo, collar, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal
  • The disposition of the animal
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Report Animal Incidents

To report an animal incident, such as an animal bite, an animal missing, or an animal in distress or being neglected, call the County Offices at 434-738-6191, press 0 to speak to the operator. They will take your report and contact an Animal Control Officer. In the case of an emergency after 5 pm, weekends, and holidays, call the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office at 434-738-6171.

All stray animals are kept in accordance with the following State guidelines:

  • Strays without a collar or identification are kept 5 days (the first day is not counted)
  • Strays with a collar but without identification are kept 10 days (the first day is not counted)

Animal Shelter

The Mecklenburg County Animal Shelter is located at 8738 Highway 92, Chase City, VA, near the intersection of Highway 92 and Skipwith Road. To obtain information and/or set up an appointment to visit the shelter if you are missing your animal, call the County Offices at 434-738-6191, press "0" to speak to the operator and she will contact an Animal Control Officer. There is a $10 fee per day per dog for animals housed in the County Shelter.

Dog Tags

All dogs four months or older must have a Mecklenburg County dog tag. Dog tags go on sale November 1st. The deadline to purchase dog tags is January 31. For each dog tag, proof of current rabies vaccination must be presented. The current price for each dog tag is $5; 20-dog kennel tags are $35; 50-dog kennel tags are $50 and duplicates are $1.

Failure to purchase a dog tag in a timely manner could result in a summons being issued to the owner by the Mecklenburg County Animal Warden. If found in violation, the owner could be fined $25 per dog plus incur cost of court.

Purchasing Dog Tags

Dog tags may be purchased by mail or in person at the Treasurer's Office at 311 Washington Street, Boydton. When purchasing by mail, dog owners must send a copy of a current rabies vaccination certificate for each dog as well as the applicable fee. Checks or money orders are to be made to the County of Mecklenburg. Once received, purchased dog tags will be mailed back to the dog owner.

A collar on your dog with a County tag or your name and phone number is your assurance that your dog will be returned to you if he/she should get lost or is injured on the road.

The most common statements from people looking for their lost dog are:

  • The dog did not have a collar
  • The dog had a collar on but no identification on the collar