W. Va. Code § 19-20D-3
Order of the magistrate court
West Virginia · West Virginia Code Chapter 19 — Agriculture · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- W. Va. Code § 19-20D-3, Order of the magistrate court, West Virginia, version 1 as recorded 2026-10-03, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/2373657
- Permanent ID
ys:prov:2373657@1- SHA-256
794de67977cd6b1d673be4f1a27a14e77e5714589c2e8a0c2954974a7de08ff9
The hash is SHA-256 of this version's text, with every run of whitespace collapsed to a single space and the ends trimmed. The ID always leads back here, and checking it says whether the text you cited is still the current version.
Full text
(a) If the trier of fact finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog which is the subject of the action under this article has attacked the petitioner and caused personal injuries requiring medical treatment in the amount of $2,000 or more or that the dog attacked the petitioner and within the twelve month period prior to the attack had engaged in a separate attack causing personal injury requiring medical treatment, then the court shall order the owner of the dog to have the dog euthanized.
(b) The magistrate court shall issue and file a written order that sets forth the following:
(1) Findings of fact and conclusions of law; and
(2) If the court orders euthanasia, a specific date upon which the owner of the dog must have the euthanasia performed and a direction that documentation be mailed to the petitioner and filed with the court by a specific date showing that the procedure was performed.
(c) If the court does not order euthanasia, the court shall order that the petition be dismissed with prejudice.
(d) The court may award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party.