9/7/08
The animal welfare regional meeting (VVAW/VAW and VFHS) met at 11:15am on Sunday, 9/7/08 at Halpin-Harrison Hall at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA.
In attendance: * denotes member of Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare Board of Directors
Bob Bonometti
Sara Brown
*Lillian Clancy
Bob Gallagher
Marsha Genthner
Virginia Kilmer
*Donald Marro
Rebecca Miller
Melisa Miller-Piselli
Niki Morrissette
Nancy Nargiz
John Neavear
RuthAnn Noblette
Adrian Reed
*Pat Weakland
Brenda Weintraub
Steve Weintraub
Jean Westfall
Lana Westfall
The meeting was called to order at 11:10 am by Facilitator Virginia Kilmer.
Bob Bonometti as host welcomed the attendees, saying his group does not necessarily endorse the legislative agenda of VVAW/VAW and VFHS. He then introduced John Neavear, President of Soar Higher.
Each person in the auditorium then introduced themselves.
The review of 2008 legislation began with Kathy Strouse’s video. Kathy is the legislative liaison for VACA (Virginia Animal Control Association). Her review included these successfully passed bills that were introduced in the General Assembly’s House of Delegates (and therefore have “HB” in front of the bill number):
HB5 – elimination of gas chambers (covered in more detail later)
HB207 – inspection of facilities to be limited to areas where animals are housed
HB537 – county treasurers can destroy rabies certificates after recording relevant information
HB538 – puppymill bill (covered in more detail later)
HB655 – judicial discretion regarding dangerous dogs
HB656 – animal fighting bill (covered in more detail later)
HB999 – bond bill
HB1331 – recodification of Virginia code regarding agriculture (including animals)
These Senate bills (each starting with “SB” before the bill number) were also passed and reviewed:
SB26 – RICO bill (covered in more detail later)
SB592 – companion bill to HB656 (covered in more detail later)
SB663 – fees for impoundment
In closing, Kathy said VACA wants to pursue this legislation in 2009:
training of animal control officer and extension of protective orders to pets in domestic violence situations.
Next Michelle Welch provided detail about the new animal fighting legislation via video.
Don Marro then reported in person about gas chambers elimination and the RICO bill.
Sharon Adams/Virginia Beach SPCA next presented, by video, information on the puppymill bill. The video was followed by questions about regulating pet shops. Someone asked for the definition of “puppymill” and Pat Weakland said there is no official definition.
Don talked about the humane investigator program and how it might help with puppymills. Steve Weintraub added to the conversation saying the Farm Bureau opposes re-establishment of the humane investigator program, using as their reasons that humane investigators would take up training space that should be reserved for animal control officers, and that humane investigators “annoy” farmers. Steve added that he has contacted the Farm Bureau twice, trying to find a way to work with the group, without success. Don offered that was because the Farm Bureau sees humane investigators being the first step on the slippery slope to farm regulation and an end to factory farming.
The last video was by Debra Griggs and covered HB673, the “water bill”.
Virginia Kilmer then spoke of the desire to have attendees become involved.
Bob Bonometti asked about the videos shown and could they be used elsewhere. Don said he would check and see about getting a copy of them. Virginia Kilmer said she would also help to make the videos available.
Don spoke about animal welfare laws in general in Virginia, saying pet shops are covered; laws might be there, but having laws enforced is just as important as having them.
Don Gallagher asked what to do if one witnesses animal cruelty. Virginia suggested contacting an ACO (animal control officer). Don added that finding out if the involved jurisdiction has a humane investigator and if they do, contact the HI and ask that person to follow up. He suggested contacting the humane investigator prior to contacting an ACO.
Jean Westfall noted she would like to become a humane investigator. Don suggested she go with her mother-in-law, Lana Westfall, and visit Del. Beverly Sherwood and ask to be appointed a humane investigator, or, as a second choice, as a conservator of the peace.
RuthAnn Noblette asked if civil fines had been used for those facilities not in compliance. Don indicated that civil fines had been threatened in Page County, but in fact have never been levied.
Don acknowledged several who were very important in having animal welfare legislation passed in 2008 including Michelle Welch, Teresa Dockery, Robin Starr, Debra Griggs, Susanne Kogut, and Sharon Adams.
There was a question about license fees. Someone told of getting a letter from Fauquier County that said because of the rabies shot, it was known they have a dog which is not licensed, and it must be licensed in 2 days or an ACO will take it. It was also noted that most, if not all, vets will not treat an animal unless it has a rabies shot, and a lack of rabies inoculations contributes to public health problems.
Bob Bonometti wants sliding scales for licenses based on ability to pay.
Virginia Kilmer noted the importance of having all viewpoints known when working on legislation, identifying early what points cancel what other points.
Nancy Nargiz spoke about TNR and colonies, and Ruth Anne Noblette spoke of the success of Cat’s Cradle in dealing with cats generally. Don pointed out that the State Vet says TNR is illegal based on an informal opinion of the Attorney General.
A question was asked about hunting licenses. Don noted that typically kennel licenses are bought. Lillian Clancy mentioned the study by Virginia’s Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) called “Hunting with Hounds: A Way Forward”. Pat Weakland mentioned he attended the recent DGIF meeting in Bowling Green. He said 36 spoke, and 33 of the 36 were hunters, 32 of them fox hunters. There may be a change in retrieval laws, and Pat cautions there may be an increase in abandoned dogs if hunters can’t walk on private land to retrieve their dogs. Hunters appear to be concerned that Virginia will copy Georgia hunting law requiring 1000 contiguous acres, a requirement for a specific “deer hunting with hound” license, and a strengthening of the setback on roads for hunting.
Melisa Miller-Piselli noted that some vets do not want their low prices known generally, so they are not announced except by fliers for special clinics. Don suggested that reduced prices would be more attractive and well publicized if vets supported a tax credit bill VVAW will promote again this session.
The meeting ended with a brief discussion of topics under consideration to be legislative initiatives in 2009 already on the list from previous meetings. Attendees were then given an opportunity to sign up for the topic they want to work on.
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm.