§ 41.1-4-1. Keeping prohibited; exceptions.  


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  • No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild, exotic or vicious animal, as those terms are defined in Section 41.1-1-1, for any purposes, except that this prohibition shall not apply to a single certified service animal in a household, zoological parks, traveling animal exhibitions, circuses or veterinary clinics that are properly licensed by the Federal Government or Commonwealth of Virginia. The wild or exotic animals of such licensed establishments shall not be exhibited or displayed in such a manner that persons other than their handlers can pet, fondle, or otherwise come in direct physical contact with such animals; however this prohibition shall not apply to the riding of elephants by persons other than the elephants' handlers while under the direct supervision of the elephants' handlers where such elephants are performing in zoological parks, animal exhibitions or circuses which are properly licensed by the Federal Government or the Commonwealth of Virginia and Fairfax County. (26-04-41.1.)