Our office was established by the Mineral County Commission to enforce the provisions of the WV Code §19-20The responsibilities under this office include: control and registration of dogs, the impounding, care and destruction of unlicensed dogs.

animal-control-main

Dog Registration and Licensing

The Office of Animal Control works with the Mineral County Assessor's Office for the purpose of collecting the dog tax and registration fees, taking the dog registration and providing tags. Click on the link above for more information on fees.

Patrolling and Community Safety

Animal Control Officers patrol the county to ensure the communities safety and are required by code to seize on sight and impound any dog more than six months of age found not wearing a valid registration tag, except dogs kept constantly confined in a registered dog kennel. Our office is responsible for the proper care and final disposition of all impounded dogs.

We provides a monthly report, in writing, to the county commission. When a dog has been seized and impounded, the Animal Control Officer will give notice to the owner of the dog, if known, that the dog has been impounded and that it will be sold or destroyed if not redeemed within five days. If the owner of the dog is not known, the Officer will post a notice in the county courthouse. The notice will include a description of the dog and the place where it was seized and will advise the unknown owner that the dog will be sold or destroyed if not redeemed within five days.

Rabies Information

According to WV Code §19-20A, any person who owns, obtains or possesses a dog or cat within the State of West Virginia is required to have a dog or cat properly vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for three years, boostered one year after initial vaccination and every third year thereafter. Dogs and cats need not be vaccinated before the age of three months, but must be vaccinated by the age of six months. Such tag shall be securely fastened to the collar worn by the dog.

Whoever owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat and fails to have such dog or cat vaccinated or re-vaccinated against rabies, and whoever vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies and fails or refuses to keep and report the required record of such vaccination, or fails, or refuses to provide the required tag, or whoever obstructs or interferes in any way with the enforcement of any section of the article shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars, or be confined in the county jail not less than ten days nor more than sixty days, or both.

Mineral County works with local veterinarians to provide regular vaccination clinics for your animals. Please click below for additional information on upcoming clinics in the county.

Rabies Clinic

See when the next clinic is coming!

Additonal Animal Ordinances

To view a complete list of additional animal ordinances click the button below.

Animal Ordinances

See if an ordinance pertains to your animal!