Animal Welfare News

Update: Tommie’s Law Passes in Virginia House and Senate

Update: Tommie’s Law Passes in Virginia House and Senate

Paws Up! To Virginia lawmakers for passing "Tommie's Law" which increases the severity of animal cruelty charges to a felony. March 19, 2019 Thanks to Senator Bill DeSteph (R-Virginia Beach), animal abusers can now face felony charges in Virginia. Previously, felony...

VA Bill Seeks to Give Tethered Dogs More Freedom

VA Bill Seeks to Give Tethered Dogs More Freedom

Paws Up!February 5, 2019 To the Virginia House of Delegates for passing House Bill 1827 that would help better the lives of tethered dogs. UPDATE: HB 1827 failed when voted on by the Senate 4-8 on 2/8/19. The safety and quality of life for dogs who exist on the end of...

Animal Abusers In VA May Soon Face Felony Charges

Animal Abusers In VA May Soon Face Felony Charges

Paws Up!February 5, 2019 To Virginia Senator Bill R. DeSteph, Jr (R) for introducing Senate Bill 1604 that would increase the penalty for convicted animal abusers. Choosing to inflict pain on any...

Florida Congressmen Introduce Federal Animal Cruelty Ban

Florida Congressmen Introduce Federal Animal Cruelty Ban

Paws Up! To Congressmen Buchanan and Deutch (FL) for introducing the PACT Act, which would impose federal felony charges for animal abuse, including up to seven years in prison. February 7, 2019 Two Florida Congressmen, Rep. Vern Buchanan and Rep. Ted Deutch, have...

North Dakota Says No to Animal Cruelty Bill

North Dakota Says No to Animal Cruelty Bill

Paws Down!January 29, 2019 To The House Agriculture Committee who decided not to pass a bill that would have kept animals from being adopted by animal abusers. Studies have shown that when individuals...

New Mexico Places Ban on Coyote Killing Contests

Paws Up! To New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard for banning coyote killing contests on state trust land. January 30, 2019 As one of her first actions in the new year, state Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard implemented an...

Wicomico County, MD, Toughens Up on Animal Welfare Regulations

Wicomico County, MD, Toughens Up on Animal Welfare Regulations

Paws Up! To Wicomico County, Maryland, for strengthening their animal welfare regulations. January 23, 2019 Beginning Saturday, January 19, 2019, residents of Wicomico County, Maryland, must abide by new animal welfare regulations, including guidelines for tethering...