Hello Supporters,

This update is specifically directed at Virginia residents.

Governors of Virginia are permitted to sign, veto OR amend bills. For the first time in our experience, a governor has recommended to the General Assembly amendments to an animal welfare bill that will be considered during the legislative “veto session” next Wednesday, April 3. To become law, the governor’s amendments must be supported by a majority of both the State Senate and House of Delegates.

Governor Northam is asking the General Assembly to (1) further lengthen the required minimum length of chains to 15 feet or four times the length of the animal (the current bill requires 10 feet or three times the length of the animal) and (2) remove the exemption for agricultural animals under the definition of “adequate space.”

We support Governor Northam’s request of the legislature to agree to these two amendments, but we expect them to be opposed by the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance (which wants a shorter chain requirement) and Farm Bureau (which wants to exempt agricultural animals from any protections under the law) and so we have some work to do in order to ensure that the amendments are supported by the legislature.

In the coming days, preferably today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday), please call your state senator and member of the House of Delegates and ask her/him to “support the governor’s recommendation to amend SB1025—the dog chaining bill.” If asked, explain briefly that the governor recommends a longer minimum length of chain and the removal of a redundant exemption for agricultural animals—redundant because the provision of adequate space does not apply to agricultural animals, so a further exemption is confusing.

To find the contact information for your legislators, please click here and enter your address: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

Thank you for your help and support!

Gary