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Del. Ellen Campbell, District 36, is sponsoring a bill that will establish an Animal Cruelty List in Virginia.
The Rockbridge SPCA, along with bill liaison and volunteer Mona Hazera, has been coordinating with Campbell on this animal advocacy effort, according to Tara Rodi, executive director of the Rockbridge SPCA.
The registry will contain the names of those who are convicted of felony animal cruelty in Virginia.
Rodi said, “It will be very beneficial to animal organizations who do pet adoptions. Right now, we keep our own list and call other shelters to inquire about their list. Having a statewide list will help shelters and rescue groups keep animals safe by being able to check the list for those convicted of animal cruelty.”
Campbell is working on legislation to create the list and is planning to introduce it during the 2024 legislative session in Richmond and will seek bipartisan support.
Hazera added, “Virginia ranks in the top tier of states for animal abuse and Veterinarins. org ranks Virginia number 5 on data collected during 2012-2021 (https:// www.veterinarians.org/animal- abuse-statistics/), and the Animal Legal Defense Fund ranked Virginia number 15 in 2022. Further, the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit identifies a direct link between animal cruelty and human violence. The FBI started collecting data on animal cruelty crimes and added it to the Nation Incident Based Reporting System.”
Rodi and Hazera are encouraging animal advocates throughout Virginia to contact their delegate and senator to support the Animal Cruelty List or contact the Rockbridge SPCA by visiting its website, www.rockbridgespca. net, to sign up and support this bill or for more information.
