The recent arrest of Karen Anderson, the owner of Aaron's Hope For Paws in Taylor County WV has sent shock and outrage throughout the state. More alarming is that she can only be charged with 58 MISDEMEANOR counts because shockingly Westt Virginia law does not consider starvation as torture which will allow her a much lighter sentence upon any conviction 
THE LOOPHOLE MUST BE CLOSED!

Therefore we seek the West Virginia Legislature to take action to correct this oversight immediately to give Prosecutors and Judges in our great state the ability to hold these abusers accountable! 

The legal definition of animal torture does not explicitly include "starvation," leading many abusers to escape accountability. According to recent findings, there have been multiple cases in our state where animal abusers were not charged adequately, simply because the act of leaving these animals to starve does not meet the state's threshold for "torture." This loophole leaves us with legal blind spots, through which many perpetrators slip away unpunished.

Starvation is undoubtedly a severe form of neglect and torture. Animals depend on us for nourishment and survival, just as much as they do for care and companionship. Denying them food and leaving them to suffer a slow, painful death is as cruel as any form of physical abuse.

We urge the West Virginia Legislature to take immediate action: amend the current animal protection laws to explicitly classify "starvation" as a form of "torture." Doing so will ensure that all acts of neglect are met with the seriousness they deserve, creating stronger deterrents against animal cruelty.

There is precedence for such legislative amendments in other states, where broader definitions have led to more successful prosecutions and fewer incidents of deliberate neglect. Updating our state’s statutes ensures that perpetrators face consequences, acting both as a punitive and preventive measure.

We call upon all residents of West Virginia, animal lovers, and anyone who believes in justice, to unite for this cause. Let’s hold abusers accountable for their actions. By signing this petition, you are lending your voice to protect those who cannot speak for themselves. Let’s make West Virginia a safer place for everyone, including animals. Please sign this petition in honor of the 58 Anderson cats that died in the most horrific manor and allow for real accountability in West Virginia!