After taking part in the incredibly successful first ever Humane Lobby Day yesterday at the Virginia General Assembly, we are more impressed than ever with the powerful force that the community of animal lovers brings to articulate justice, compassion and decency for the innocent creatures who rely upon us. Thank you to each who attended and also to those of who, though unable to attend, are equally vital in your advocacy through phone calls and emails to your senators and delegates.
We are again asking for your support of an important piece of legislation. House Bill 888 has been introduced by Delegate Kenneth Alexander (D-Norfolk), and it is expected to be heard by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Monday, Jan. 30 at 5 p.m.
The purpose of this bill is to make it clear in state code that any locality in Virginia may enact ordinances to regulate the tethering or chaining of dogs. While the City of Richmond and some other localities have already enacted such ordinances, other cities and counties have interpreted Dillon’s Rule to limit their power to regulate tethering as it has yet to be expressly granted by the legislature. The clarity HB888 provides is essential. It provides the following amendment to the Code of Virginia:
C. Any locality as defined in § 1-221 may, by ordinance, regulate, restrict, or prohibit the tethering or chaining of companion animals.
This legislation is entirely permissive, allowing each locality to set its own standards. The one-hour cumulative limit on tethering in the City of Richmond was adopted in 2007, and it was a great step forward in humane treatment of dogs in our own community. Please express your support for HB888 to your delegate. If your delegate is a member of the House Ag Subcommittee, your influence as a constituent is especially important.
House Agriculture Subcommittee:
Delegate Daniel W. Marshall III (Chairman)
Phone: (804) 698-1014 | Fax: (804) 698-6714 | Email: [email protected]
Delegate Matthew James
Phone: (804) 698-1080 |
Fax: (804) 698-6780 |
Email: [email protected]
Delegate Barry Knight
Phone: (804) 698-1081 | Fax: (804) 698-6781 | Email: [email protected]
Delegate James W. (Will) Morefield
Phone: (804) 698-1003 |
Fax: (804) 698-6703
| Email: [email protected]
Delegate Robert D. Orrock, Sr.
Phone: (804) 698-1054 |
Fax: (804) 698-6754
| Email: [email protected]
Delegate Charles D. Poindexter
Phone: (804) 698-1009
| Fax: (804) 698-6709 |
Email: [email protected]
Delegate Mark D. Sickles
Phone: (804) 698-1043
| Fax: (804) 698-6743 |
Email: [email protected]
Tabitha Frizzell Hanes is the director of communications for the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
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