Attention all animal advocates in Virginia. This message was sent out via email to the Virginia Animal Control Association from Senior Assistant Attorney General Michelle Welch. Please be aware that the Attorney General's office is imploring Animal Control to take action on behalf of animals being left out in these horrific temperatures. If you are having to deal with Animal Control, please bring this letter to their attention so they cannot brush you off. Please share, tag others, and email to any ACOs you may know. The message is as follows: Animal Control Professionals:   I am getting an astronomical amount of complaints about Animal Control during these frigid temperatures. During this cold snap we are experiencing, a dog with no shelter "at all" can easily freeze to death.  That is a violation of 3.2-6570(A)(ii).  Depriving an animal of necessary shelter....That is cruelty.  Any dog should be seized under those conditions.    Moreover, blue barrels or decrepit shelters are not adequate shelter under temperatures like we are experiencing.  I have asked Animal Control Officers to do the following:  give options to the owner:  a) owner can bring the dog in to the house (offer wire crates if you have them); b) surrender the dog to ACO; or c) ACO can take temporary custody of the dog (you can charge them a fee for the custody).  They don't get to let their dog freeze to death. Leaving a notice is not enough.  If they don't want to comply, then you should seize the dog.   Under the conditions we are experiencing, the owners can and should be charged with cruelty.  These conditions are the same conditions as a hurricane and remember under 3.2-6570(A)(i), "Illtreats" is very broad and I have been successful with "illtreats,"  charging many defendants with it in 2017.  In fact, I have convicted 10 people under the "illtreats" definition.    I know you are getting a lot of calls, but you as my animal heroes, must rise.   Please call me if you have any questions from the field. K. Michelle Welch Senior Assistant Attorney General Office of the Attorney General 202 North 9th Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 225-4776 Office mwelch@oag.state.va.us http://www.ag.virginia.gov