Who is impacted?
We are concerned residents speaking out because Erica Corpening — a woman who reported animal abuse and survived domestic abuse herself — is now being prosecuted instead of protected. Erica had the courage to expose horrific abuse: strangulation and violence by her abuser, and a confirmed case of animal sexual abuse involving Chanelle Renee Lincoln, who police verified forced her dog into sexual acts.

At the time, Chanelle was a middle school teacher, entrusted with guiding vulnerable children every day. Yet instead of removing her from positions of trust or prosecuting her to the fullest extent of the law, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is offering leniency to Chanelle and Erica's abuser; in exchange for testimony against Erica’s “intent.” Meanwhile, Erica is left traumatized, stigmatized, and in debt after having to pay thousands for a lawyer she could not afford as a single mother.

Adding to the injustice, Erica — the reporter of abuse — is under harsher bond conditions than Chanelle, the confirmed abuser caught on video. Erica’s abuser is also using the court system as a weapon to continue his control and abuse. The dog remains traumatized. Erica remains traumatized. And the message to the community is chilling: silence is safer than truth.

What is at stake?
If Henrico County continues with these charges, it tells the public that reporting abuse is more dangerous than staying silent. It rewards an animal abuser with leniency while punishing the woman who spoke up. It tells every survivor, every whistleblower, every parent: if you come forward, the system will come for you. That is not justice.

Why is now the time to act?
Erica’s next court date is September 25th. The Commonwealth’s Attorney, Shannon Taylor, is also running for Congress. Voters and residents deserve leaders who protect people and animals from abuse — not leaders who silence and punish those who report it. This prosecution must end now, before the damage goes any further.

And ask yourself this: how many of you will read this and stay silent — either out of fear of retaliation from the system or individuals involved; or because you assume “there must be pieces missing”? There aren’t missing pieces. It really is this backwards. And if the system can do this to someone who reported confirmed abuse, it can do it to anyone.

When people report abuse, we must listen — not prosecute.