Virginia – Move Forward With Animal Cruelty Registry With Strict Enforcement

With the ongoing issue of animal cruelty throughout Virginia and nationwide, the state made some efforts in presenting an animal abuse registry to authorities.  Virginia statutes were clear in preventing animal cruelty, penalties and laws that are meant to protect animals.  Please read more on the state’s efforts and penalties at http://vscc.virginia.gov/documents/2011/0920/animal_abuser_registry.pdf

It is highly commendable that a bill was presented in Virginia to stop animal abuse and cruelty.  The bill has not been activated and I am now working diligently to ensure that they do indeed implement and strictly enforce an animal cruelty registry.  This proposed animal cruelty registry would require anyone guilty of any type of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect to be placed on this database, requiring that it be updated on a regular basis.  Additionally, these abusers need to be banned from future pet ownership or ever working with or caring for them for a lifetime.  The database should then be shared with all breeders, shelters, pet shops and others in the pet industry as a mandatory resource.

It has been a proven fact that there is a distinct link between animal cruelty and violence against people.  Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to harm an animal that cannot defend itself will very likely harm people, often family members, neighbors and friends. The effort in this petition is to ensure that Virginia State Legislators implement and strictly enforce an animal cruelty registry which would serve as a tool in protecting animals and preventing further animal abuse, cruelty and neglect.  You can help me in my efforts by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own comments and thoughts on this issue.