…without warrant, requiring 90 days prepayment, no return of money OR ANIMALS if owner found innocent
Richmond Sunlight Website: NEW (go here, read, vote, and then, write the Senate ag committee with a copy to YOUR senator.)
Full Text PDF: NEW (go here)
Track it: feed: NEW (go here)
Write the Virginia Ag Committee: See contact list below.
Kayce Cover writes:
Our Sovereign State of Virginia holds the rights of her law abiding citizens dear. She requires due process of law and does not endorse the encroachment on our rights and activities, without. HB999 is subverts the interest of law-abiding Virginians, as follows:
There is no requirement for a warrant first, before the animals are seized. The government should not be able to come on your property and seize your legal animals more easily than it can come to look for illegal activities.
A “humane investigator” is not defined – our government is not to facilitate the illegal activities of animal rights infiltrators, or pave the way for people posing as “humane investigators” to steal legally owned animals. Most jurisdictions do not provide sufficient training for Animal Control Officers to ensure that these officers can evaluate the conditions/status of unusual animals – for example, service monkeys. The relocation of some legally owned animals can be so stressful as to endanger their health and well-being. Such trauma can cause permanent illness and premature death. Animals may have special medical conditions or requirements that the confiscators will not be able to provide for. Old-age or these special requirements may make an animal appear, to the inexpert, as being abused, when it reality, the animal is geriatric, or under management for a medical condition.
Cash is demanded from owners who may be blameless. There is no provision for return of the cash OR the animals, if the owners are found to be blameless or better, doing a good job.
This bill provides an incentive for the government to confiscate private animals to raise money. Instead, I am for due process where, if there is a question of animal care, a warrant must be issued, and there are provisions from the start for the safe keeping of the animals, the return of the animals, etc.
Notwithstanding the good intentions of the sponsor, this bill unduly undermines the rights of Virginia citizens.
Members of Virginia Senate Agriculture Committee: Be brief and polite!
Put your name and address – they will be held confidential, but are required. If you are not a Virginia resident, talk about how this bill affects your plans to buy from or visit, or work in or… Virginia. Thank you. Most of these people work hard, low pay and are trying to do the best they can. Be respectful.
Chairman:
Patricia S. Ticer
Phone: (804) 698-7530
email: district30@sov.state.va.us
Mary Margaret Whipple
Phone: (804) 698-7531
email: district31@sov.state.va.us
Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.
Phone: (804) 698-7524
email: district24@sov.state.va.us
John C. Watkins
Phone: (804) 698-7510
email: district10@sov.state.va.us
W. Roscoe Reynolds
Phone: (804) 698-7520
email: district20@sov.state.va.us
Phillip P. Puckett
Phone: (804) 698-7538
email: district38@sov.state.va.us
Frank M. Ruff
Phone: (804) 698-7515
email: district15@sov.state.va.us
Harry B. Blevins
Phone: (804) 698-7514
email: district14@sov.state.va.us
R. Creigh Deeds
Phone: (804) 698-7525
email: district25@sov.state.va.us
Mark D. Obenshain
Phone: (804) 698-7526
email: district26@sov.state.va.us
Ryan T. McDougle
Phone: (804) 698-7504
email: district04@sov.state.va.us
J. Chapman Petersen
Phone: (804) 698-7534
email: district34@sov.state.va.us
Ralph S. Northam
Phone: (804) 698-7506
email: district06@sov.state.va.us
Richard H. Stuart
Phone: (804) 698-7528
email: district28@sov.state.va.us