Alert   12/17/08     Thanks to Attorney General McDonnell

 

Remember this? (This is from our December Court Watch alert.)

12/2/08     Tuesday

1:15 pm

Defendant: David Winesett

Carroll County General District Court

605 Pine Street, Hillsville, VA 24343

Clerk: Donna Janette Webb

276-730-3050     fax: 276-730-3054   e-mail: dwebb@courts.state.va.us

A tip regarding a potential puppy-mill type operation where dogs were kept in conditions described as “deplorable” in Carroll County resulted in Virginia State Police seizing 63 dogs on 11/13/08 after consulting with a state veterinarian, Dr. Dana Miller. All 63 dogs were taken to Angels of Assisi, a Roanoke animal shelter. Pursuant to Virginia law, a hearing will now be held to determine if the animals were treated cruelly. The owner of the operation is David Winesett who served as an Animal Control Officer in Carroll County from 1979 to 1989. No charges have been placed against Mr. Winesett at this time.

action anticipated: civil hearing to determine custody of the animals

 

UPDATE: The case was dismissed. The judge ruled that the hearing should have taken place within 10 days of the seizure of the dogs, but took place on the 11 th day. Note that Del. Terry Kilgore defended David Winesett. Next steps are not known at this time.

 

Today, 12/17/08, at 3:30 there will be a hearing to reconsider the decision to dismiss the Winesett case.

 

It is very late to let you know, but this is just happening, and so please try to be there. This is important. The future of those 63 dogs should not rest on differences of legal opinion about when the hearing needed to take place.

 

Much of the reason this is being reconsidered is due to Bob McDonnell, the Attorney General of Virginia. We appreciate his commitment to make life better for Virginia’s companion animals.

 

Please take a moment, particularly if you can’t get to the hearing today, to thank Mr. McDonnell for his efforts. Let him know we want him and his staff to continue their advocacy on behalf of our companion animals.

 

Here is how to reach Attorney General McDonnell.

ofc: 804-786-2071     email:    McDonnell@oag.state.va.us

 

Thank you.

 

Lillian Clancy and Donald Marro