VIRGINIA HUNTING DOG ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 657
Powhatan, Virginia 23139
E-mail: info@vahda.org
Kirby Burch: 804.794.8612
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12th, 2017
Bad Bill Punishes Dogs For Being Dogs
— HB 1900 allows localities to enact ordinances punishing wandering dogs —
— HB 1900 would apply statewide in any locality —
— Would make lawbreakers out of neighbors, animal rights activists, and hunters alike —
POWHATAN, VIRGINIA (January 12th, 2017) — In a shock bill, Speaker William J. Howell has introduced legislation in the Virginia General Assembly that would permit localities to impose a fine of $100 for each violation on dogs wandering onto a neighbor’s property.
“We are simply shocked at how sweeping this bill really is,” said Kirby Burch, CEO of the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance. “HB 1900 is a bill designed to punish dogs just for being dogs. What this bill would permit is to allow localities to impose a $100 fine per instance of a dog wandering onto a neighbor’s property for any reason whatsoever. What is worse, it is so poorly constructed as to open more doors than it closes.”
“For anyone living in a suburban setting, HB 1900 effectively bans dog ownership. How many times does someone’s pet play in the yard? With neighborhood children? With this bill, a verbal warning is sufficient to slap someone who’s dog accidentally wanders off to chase a squirrel a $100 fine — just like that.”
Burch emphasized that this bill violated a very basic premise of good government. “In rural America, conversations take place before legislation. To punish dogs simply for being dogs without creating the space for neighbors being neighbors is ludicrous. Every dog owner in Virginia ought to be horrified at this sweeping piece of legislation. This bill punishes the careless and the conscientious alike.”
The Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance will be holding its annual Lobby Day this Tuesday, January 17th at the Virginia General Assembly Building in 5 West. A rally of those opposing HB 1900 will be held at the Bell Tower on Capitol Square that same Tuesday, January 17th at 10:30am. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
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