On July 1, 2020 a Virginia state law was passed prohibiting the keeping of dogs tethered outside in extreme weather- and demanding adequate shelter to be provided in temperatures below 32 degrees and above 85 degrees. Observations have concluded that these laws are not being upheld.

        Furthermore these laws are being blatantly ignored by civilians and government official alike. I implore the city of Richmond and it’s community to push for an investigation of Animal Care and Control. With multiple ignored phone calls and evidence at their feet- they repeatedly leave animals in poor and less than ideal conditions.

         Laws have been put into place to help these animals and to punish and protect those that would harm them. However, the laws that are in place are not being enforced and no action is being taken against the people who break them. Most of the time the people who do commit these heinous crimes aren’t even made to pay a fine for their neglect/abuse and animal control will return the animal back to them with just a “slap on the wrist” type of attitude. We as a community need to push for stricter laws and for the laws themselves to be strictly enforced and the culprits be held responsible. We as well need more transparency from our local animal care officers.