$25 Fine for Animal Abandonment--Only in Southwest Virginia
On May 18, 2018, Worley Whitt braked his pickup to a stop on Limestone Road in Tazewell County, VA. Seconds later, a passenger opened the truck’s door and tossed a dog out onto the pavement. The door closed and the pickup drove away. The dog trotted after the truck, then disappeared, and has never been seen again despite concentrated efforts to find her.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office was monitoring a trail cam at this site. They identified Mr. Whitt and charged him according to VA Code 3.2-6504/Animal Abandonment. The case went to court, and a General District judge fined Mr. Whitt $25.
In case the significance of this doesn’t register, that $25 fine did not even pay the salary of the officer for the time he spent putting the case together. It would not even begin to pay for the care of a dog turned in to the Tazewell County Animal Shelter, leaving taxpayers to pick up the bill. Dumping a dog is a Class 3 Misdemeanor in Virginia, punishable by a fine of up to $500 according to state code.
Not His First Offense
https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/nameSearch.do
An Affront to the Community and to Every Creature That Draws Breath
So how did this General District judge arrive at a fine of $25? I’m not at all sure. I can guarantee, however, that much of this is grounded in culture. Animals have been regarded as property in Appalachia for generations, to be dealt with and disposed of at will. In my opinion, this judge did not fulfill his obligation to the law when he issued such a negligible fine.
I would love to see this post and video go viral. I can’t imagine the frustration our law enforcement officers must have felt to see their hard work and due diligence in this case be marginalized by a court system that failed to honor the spirit of Virginia law. Lately, local animal control officers and police entities have come under growing international pressure from animal lovers and animal welfare activists due to greater exposure of the problems here in Southwest Virginia. However, in this case is it clear to me that our officers went above and beyond to uphold the law and speak for this dog, who could not speak for herself. They were failed by the court system, by a judge who is not paying attention to the concerns of people in this community and elsewhere in the world.
The judge will not reverse his decision. That ship has sailed. However, General District judges are appointed in Virginia. Our state representatives Will Morefield and Ben Chafin are the people who need to hear about this. They need to hear from constituents. They also need to hear from people around the world who are watching the situation in Tazewell County. This includes not only potential tourists, but large corporations who could potentially bring industry to our region. The era of the Good Old Boys has passed. In today’s world, we want to see abusers held accountable. In fact, we demand it. Please take a moment to contact Mr. Morefield and Mr. Chafin at the addresses and phone numbers provided below.
Will Morefield
Capitol Office
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main St,
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Office: (804) 698-1003
Email Address:[email protected]
Room Number: W228
District Office
P.O. Box 828
North Tazewell, VA 24630
Office: (276) 345-4300
Delegate's Personal Website
http://www.willmorefield.com
Senator A. Benton Chafin, Jr.
Richmond Office
Pocahontas Building, Room E514
900 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 698-7538
District Office
331 West Main Street
P.O. Box 1210
Lebanon, VA 24266
Phone: (276) 889-1044
Email
[email protected]
Far-Reaching Impact
In final thoughts, I’ve been writing for several years about the deplorable situation that animals face in Southwest Virginia. In many ways, it’s comparable to conditions in underdeveloped countries that have limited or no public services for people or animals. Trying to make community leaders and government officials understand how this affects us at the socioeconomic level has been very difficult. Our county recently had a nearly three-million-dollar budget shortfall, resulting in the loss of more than a million dollars in funding for local schools (article HERE.) Addiction is epidemic here. Jobs are scarce. Our community is dying, and the best answer local politicians can come up with is to place more emphasis on tourism. You can read more about that HERE. We definitely have problems, and no solutions anywhere on the horizon.
Many studies have been done in recent years that link animal abuse to violence against people. Some findings indicate that animal abusers are five times as likely to abuse humans. The FBI has identified animal abuse as an indicator and predictor of more serious crime. It stands to reason that neglect and abandonment of animals will also reflect a similar trend in behavior toward humans, especially children.
We need to make our leaders aware of the facts. And we don’t need to stop until they understand how those facts affect all our lives directly.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://www.authordianeryan.com/uncategorized/25-fine-for-animal-abandonment-only-in-tazewell-county/
This is beyond heartbreaking, and embarrassing that justice isn't being done. Anyone who will do this to an animal deserves the highest fine possible, because they're not only dumping an animal and risking that life, but people who act like this are more likely to commit other crimes. They need to know it IS NOT OKAY! And, good lord, the fine should at least cover the police department's expenses to charge him.
I'm so glad you're shining a light on this. I hope this changes, and soon!
Thank you, @katrina-ariel. You are absolutely right--this is criminal behavior and part of a pattern that our judicial system would do well to recognize.
Well, that's a load of bullshit.
Yep. That pretty much sums it up.
This kind of behavior is just NOT OK!
I cannot believe that $25?!?!?!?! is the sum total judgment in a case like this. That's ridiculous! And heartbreaking...
We used to live in a cul-de-sac in a suburban area — almost rural — and we would find all sorts of dogs and cats dumped on our street by irresponsible pet owners who seemed to treat these poor creatures like they were just throwaway toys. It's disgusting!
Glad you're bringing this to light!
Yes, it's very disgusting! With a certain sector of people, I can attribute this type of behavior to lack of enlightenment and lack of education. But for judge to overlook the significance of such a law is unconscionable.
Poor pooch :( so she was never found :( ?
No. She was never found and is presumed dead.
This makes me so sad i hope the guy gets struck by lightning ...does not die immediately but weeks later ... poor poor pooch :(
This is so sad...the judge must not be an empathetic person, and definitely not an animal lover. He probably regarded this poor dog like a thing. I think even for littering you get a larger fine. Totally unacceptable. Thanks for sharing this!
Yes. This fine was an insult to the whole community and to every creature that draws breath.
I am saddened by this. Why would someone repeatedly abandon animals? Why would they take an animal into their care in the first place, if they were just going to leave it by the side of a road? Mind boggling. That reminds me. I am over-due for posting another TARC fund-raiser.
Well, his previous offenses weren't for dog dumping, although he's probably done this many times over the course of his life. For some reason, critical thinking skills are rare in this culture. You'd be stunned at how many people get a puppy or some other pet, then a few weeks later--or even years later--decide to "get rid of it." There's no comprehension of the commitment involved in caring for an animal.
So frustrating to know and watch this type of behavior continue. We have similar issues here amoungst the trash. It cannot be solved by tourism. Perhaps the jolt of a few days in jail or a hefty fine could begin preventive measures against abandoned animals. I personally like the idea of community service with a hefty fine. 🐓🐓
Exactly. If there is no consequence for this behavior, there is no incentive to change it. What in the world could possibly be a motivation for issuing such a measly fine?
I’d say the judge is part of the problem. Sounds like a good ole boy operation to me. $25.00 is a racket bringing down The Who system. 🐓🐓
Yep. I think you're right. I posted on Facebook again for locals to contact our state representatives about this matter. But it doesn't just have to be locals. Voices from anywhere can be heard if they speak loudly enough.
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STOPBravo to you for speaking up for the animals and for your community!