West Virginia Code § 19-34-7

Confiscation and disposition of animals; suspension and revocation of
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permits.
(a) A law-enforcement officer, county humane officer or the state veterinarian may
immediately confiscate or euthanize any dangerous wild animal if the animal poses an
immediate risk to public health or safety regardless of whether the owner of the animal has
a permit issued under this article. e
(b) The board may summarily suspend a permit issued under this article if one of the
following conditions exists:
(1) An animal whose owner has a permit issued under this article is in a position to harm
another animal;
(2) A permitted animal poses a risk to public health or asafety; or
(3) The permitee has violated a provision of this artlicle.
(c) In the event of the suspension of a permit or confiscation of an animal pursuant to this
section, the dangerous wild animal may be transferred to another permitee in compliance
with the provisions of this article, if the transfer would abate the imminent harm to the
animal or the public as determined by the responding law-enforcement officer, county
humane officer or state veterinarian. If the transfer of the dangerous wild animal cannot be
accomplished without additional risk to public safety, or if no suitable facility is available for
transfer, the responding law-enforcement officer, county humane officer or veterinarian may
humanely euthanize the animal.
(d) Upon conviction o f an offense under this article or any other animal cruelty statute, the
board shall reVvoke that person's permit.
(e) The board may, for cause, revoke a permit.
(f) A person aggrieved by action of the board may appeal to circuit court.

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