Title 19 — Health
55 chapters · 745 sections in this title.
19 V.I.C. § 2714 Places subject to inspection; condemnation
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All yards, stables, sheds or other premises used by steamship companies, or other persons, for the accommodations of animals shall be maintained in a clean, comfortable and sanitary condition, and shall be subject at all times to inspection by inspectors acting under the authorit…
19 V.I.C. § 2715 Regulations of Commissioner of Agriculture; scope
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(1) The Commissioner of Agriculture may make and enforce such regulations for any of the following purposes as in his opinion are necessary; such regulations shall have the force and effect of law until amended or repealed:(1) The prevention of the importation of animals from a n…
19 V.I.C. § 2716 Entry of enforcement official
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Any officer or other person charged with the responsibility of carrying into effect any of the provisions of this chapter, may enter into any place or premises, or any steamship, vessel or boat, or any carriage, car, truck or other vehicle used for the carriage of animals, but sh…
19 V.I.C. § 2717 Presentation of animals upon receipt of notice
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Every person owning or having possession of animals in the Virgin Islands, shall, upon receiving notice in writing so to do, present such animals at the time and place specified in the notice for inspection by the Commissioner of Agriculture or his duly authorized representative.
19 V.I.C. § 2718 Forfeiture of imported animals
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If any animals are imported or brought into, or attempted to be imported or brought into the Virgin Islands contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or of any order or regulations issued thereunder, they may be seized by the Commissioner of Agriculture or any police or sanitat…
19 V.I.C. § 2719 Penalty for entering posted premises without permission
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Whenever any person having animals in his possession, or keeping animals within a place wherein infectious or contagious disease exists, posts a notice at the entrance of a building or enclosed place in which such animals are kept, forbidding persons to enter that building or pla…
19 V.I.C. § 2720 Detailing policemen for purposes of enforcement
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At such times as it becomes necessary upon request of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Governor of the Virgin Islands is hereby given authority to detail such number of policemen as in his opinion is wise to act as representatives of the Commissioner of Agriculture, and when …
19 V.I.C. § 2721 Penalties for violating chapter
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Whoever violates any provision of this chapter or any regulations issued pursuant thereto shall be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than one month, or both.
19 V.I.C. § 2722 Tick Eradication Program
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, but subject to the availability of appropriations, the Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to conduct an intensive five year program for the complete eradication of the Boophilus Microplus Tick and the Dermacenter Nitens Tick fro…
19 V.I.C. § 2723 Repealed. June 24, 1987, No. 5265, § 602(g), Sess. L. 1987, p. 67
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19 V.I.C. § 2723 Statutes current through Act 9046 of the 2025 session of the 36th Legislature, including all code changes through October 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Code AnnotatedCopyright © 2026 All rights reserved.
19 V.I.C. § 2724 Dipping stations
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Owners shall, upon the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designee, bring livestock and other animals to dipping stations established by the Commissioner and furnish all labor the Commissioner or his designee may require in inspecting, paint marking, dipping or sp…
19 V.I.C. § 2725 Rules and regulations
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The Commissioner of Agriculture shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce any and all programs relating to the inspection of animals, dead or alive, and the control, detection, eradication or prevention of any disease, parasite, and pest which is, …
19 V.I.C. § 2726 Penalty
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Whoever violates any provisions of the laws of the Virgin Islands or any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder relating to the inspection, control, detection, eradication or prevention of any disease, parasite, or pest which is or may tend to be injurious to man, animal or…
19 V.I.C. § 2801 Purpose of chapter
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In order to promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare of animals in a shelter environment, this chapter regulates animal shelters, pet shops, pet groomers, and kennels by establishing enforceable, uniform minimum standards of care for the physical, mental, and beh…
19 V.I.C. § 2802 Definitions
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(a) As used in this chapter:(a) “Ambient temperature” means the temperature surrounding an animal.(b) “Breeder” means any owner or keeper of a kennel who breeds more than 2 litters of dogs annually.(c) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Agri…
19 V.I.C. § 2803 Exercise of police power and written reports
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(a) All investigations and seizures of animals are the exercise of police power as set forth in 14 V.I.C. § 187 and 19 V.I.C. §§ 2603 and 2604 of this title. All animal shelters shall memorialize all investigations and seizures in a written report submitted to the Department of A…
19 V.I.C. § 2804 Inspections
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(a) The Department shall monitor all facilities that board animals for a fee or house animals for adoption, including, annual inspections, or upon a complaint. (b) The Department shall prepare and provide upon request a checklist based on the Guidelines for Standards of Care publ…
19 V.I.C. § 2805 Pet shop, pet groomer, kennels and animal shelter licenses
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(a) A person operating or desiring to operate a pet shop, pet grooming company, kennel or animal shelter business must be licensed by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and pay the applicable license fee to operate in the Virgin Islands. Those businesses that qualif…
19 V.I.C. § 2806 Registration and animal shelter standards
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(a) A person operating or desiring to operate an animal shelter facility must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, provide evidence of its non-profit status, and affirm that the facility is operated in compliance with the Guidelines for Standards of Care published by…
19 V.I.C. § 2807 Issuance of licenses and tags, collection of fees, and keeping of record
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(a) Any animal shelter, as the representative of the Commissioner, and in accordance with the section 2605 of this title, shall diligently issue and process applications of dog licenses and tags for all dogs owned or harbored by residents of the island on which they are located. …
19 V.I.C. § 2808 Sanitation
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(a) The animal shelter shall make provisions for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and debris and provide and operate disposal facilities as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards. (b) Washrooms, sinks or basins, must b…
19 V.I.C. § 2809 Cooling, ventilation, and lighting of indoor facilities
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(a) An indoor housing facility for dogs and cats must be sufficiently ventilated to protect the dogs and cats and provide for their health and comfort. The facility must be provided with fresh air, either by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning, and must be ventila…
19 V.I.C. § 2810 Shelter provided by outdoor facilities
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(a) When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade must be provided to allow dogs and cats to protect themselves from the direct rays of the sun. (b) An access to shelter must be provided for dogs and cats to allow them to remain dry and protected du…
19 V.I.C. § 2811 Primary enclosures
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(a) A primary enclosure must provide sufficient space to allow each dog and adult cat to turn about freely and to easily stand, sit and lie in a comfortable, normal position. Where the primary enclosure is used for more than one cat, a resting perch for each cat must be provided.…
19 V.I.C. § 2812 Animal health and husbandry: feeding and water
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(a) Dogs and cats must be fed at least twice each day except as otherwise required. The food must be free from contamination and must be wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the an…
19 V.I.C. § 2813 Parasite treatment
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When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning a primary enclosure, any dog contained therein must be removed during the cleaning process and not returned until the enclosure is completely dry.
19 V.I.C. § 2814 Adoption
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(a) Each shelter shall form an adoption committee that will be responsible for creating and implementing a plan to host a minimum of four adoption events in the community where the animals may interact with potential placement. The Adoption Committee is responsible for maintainin…
19 V.I.C. § 2901 Inspection, supervision and regulation
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(a) All animals whose meat will be offered for sale in public places in the Virgin Islands shall be slaughtered at government-controlled slaughterhouses which shall be inspected and approved by the Commissioner of Health. (b) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall supervise and re…
19 V.I.C. § 2902 Prohibited acts regarding slaughter of animals; exceptions
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It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to (a) slaughter any animal or animals in the Virgin Islands except at government-controlled slaughterhouses if the animal or animals so slaughtered or any parts thereof are to be sold, bartered or exchanged; (b) arrange f…
19 V.I.C. § 2903 Penalty for violating section 2902
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Any person violating the provisions of section 2902 of this title shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a fine of not more than $100.
19 V.I.C. § 2906 Redesignated [Renumbered]
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19 V.I.C. § 2906 Statutes current through Act 9046 of the 2025 session of the 36th Legislature, including all code changes through October 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Code AnnotatedCopyright © 2026 All rights reserved.
19 V.I.C. § 2907 Repealed. Feb. 14, 1963, No. 935, § 3, Sess. L. 1963, p. 34
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19 V.I.C. § 2907 Statutes current through Act 9046 of the 2025 session of the 36th Legislature, including all code changes through October 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Code AnnotatedCopyright © 2026 All rights reserved.
19 V.I.C. § 4101 Definitions
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(a) As used in this chapter:(a) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Health of the Virgin Islands.(b) “The Federal Act” means the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Health Centers Construction Act of 1963 (P.L. 88–164), as now and hereafter amended.(c) “The Secretary…
19 V.I.C. § 4102 Administration
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(1) The Department of Health, through the Commissioner thereof, shall constitute the sole agency of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the purpose of:(1) making inventories of existing facilities, surveying the need for construction of facilities for the mentally retarded a…
19 V.I.C. § 4103 General powers and duties
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(a) In carrying out the purposes of this chapter the Commissioner is authorized, subject to the approval of the Governor:(a) To require such reports, make such inspections and investigations and prescribe such regulations as he deems necessary;(b) To provide such methods of admin…
19 V.I.C. § 4104 Repealed. June 24, 1987, No. 5265, § 1304(j), Sess. L. 1987, p. 104
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19 V.I.C. § 4104 Statutes current through Act 9046 of the 2025 session of the 36th Legislature, including all code changes through October 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Code AnnotatedCopyright © 2026 All rights reserved.
19 V.I.C. § 4105 Administrative appropriations
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For the purposes of administering the provisions of this chapter, there is hereby appropriated such funds as may be received from the Federal Government and other sources for such purposes which shall be expended upon proper certification by the Commissioner.
19 V.I.C. § 4110 Construction program
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The Commissioner is authorized to develop construction programs for facilities for the mentally retarded and community behavioral health centers for the mentally ill, which shall be based respectively on Insular-wide inventories of existing facilities for the mentally retarded an…
19 V.I.C. § 4111 State plans
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The Commissioner is authorized to prepare and submit to the Secretary, State plans which shall include the programs for construction of facilities developed under section 4110 of this chapter and which shall provide for the establishment, administration and operation of such cons…
19 V.I.C. § 4112 Standards for maintenance and operation
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The Commissioner shall by regulation prescribe, and shall be authorized to enforce, standards for the maintenance and operation of facilities for the mentally retarded and community behavioral health centers which receive Federal aid for construction under the State plans.
19 V.I.C. § 4113 Priority of projects
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The State plans shall set forth the relative need for the several projects included in the construction programs determined in accordance with the regulations prescribed pursuant to the Federal Act, and shall provide for the construction insofar as financial resources available t…
19 V.I.C. § 4114 Applications
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Applications for mental retardation facility or community behavioral health center construction projects for which Federal funds are requested shall be submitted to the Commissioner by the Government of the Virgin Islands, a political subdivision thereof or by a public or other n…
19 V.I.C. § 4115 Hearing; forwarding of applications
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The Commissioner shall afford to every applicant for a construction project an opportunity for a fair hearing. If the Commissioner, after affording reasonable opportunity for development and submission of applications, finds that a project application complies with the requiremen…
19 V.I.C. § 4116 Inspection of projects
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From time to time the Commissioner, or his duly authorized agents, shall inspect each construction project approved by the Secretary, and if the inspection so warrants, the Commissioner shall certify to the Secretary that work has been performed upon the project, or purchases hav…
19 V.I.C. § 4117 Mental Retardation Facilities Fund and Community Behavioral Health Centers Construction Fund
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The Commissioner is hereby authorized to receive federal funds in behalf of, and transmit them to, such applicant. There is hereby established, separate and apart from all public monies of this territory, a Mental Retardation Facilities Construction Fund and a Community Behaviora…