I'm Eric from I Love Every Dog, and I can't stop thinking about the dogs in this case.
In Chesapeake, Virginia, a woman who ran a home-based dog training business is now charged with animal cruelty and multiple counts of failing to provide adequate food, water, and shelter. According to local reporting, one of her own dogs died in her care, and two others are now in the custody of Chesapeake Animal Services. Two former friends who say they called animal control described client dogs kept in crates soiled with feces and urine, with food mixed into the waste, and underweight dogs. Families reportedly paid thousands of dollars to board and train their dogs.
Her arraignment is set for November 9. These are allegations, and she is innocent unless proven guilty. But the dogs cannot speak for themselves, and the people who trusted her with their pets deserve a full and serious prosecution.
I am asking the Chesapeake Commonwealth's Attorney to pursue every charge supported by the evidence and, if she is convicted, seek the strongest penalties the law allows, including a ban on owning or caring for animals.
I am also asking the Chesapeake City Council to finish the job it started. In August, the Council voted 8-0 to create an animal cruelty registry. Today it lists only felony convictions. People with misdemeanor convictions, the very people who may run boarding and training businesses, are invisible to families and shelters. Please extend the registry to misdemeanor cruelty convictions.
Dogs trust us completely. Please sign and share if you believe the people who harm them should answer for it, and that families deserve a way to check before they hand over a leash.
