Already, police powers have been granted to private groups, who abuse them for the purposes of seizing animals under color of law for their own interpretation of animal welfare statutes- which could be as little as the nails being ‘too long” or teeth not being clean enough ; how many of you see a dentist on a regular basis? Well in VA if your dog doesn’t, it can be taken and sold by these private groups. By transferring authority to these groups, citizens lose their rights to due process and can be stripped of their property without recourse.

My animals ARE my property, loved, definitely, but property all the same and should be covered under existing law as property safe from the seizure for profit activities of so called animal rescue groups. Just recently we heard yet another heartbreaking story of 140 animals, bound for Roanoke, that were crammed into small crates and shipped thousands of miles without food or water for resale as “rescued” here in VA. This was not a commercial breeder, but yet another non profit who has jumped on the “humane relocation” band wagon, and who admits to having sold, tax free, more than 15,000 animals this way. Where is the outrage? Breeders and owners are already subject to numerous animal welfare laws but the “rescues” have made sure their own interests are exempt.

I certainly don’t recall Ms Starr facing any charges when her own animal died from heat exposure in her locked vehicle- a story covered by this very paper. Yet her organization infers that breeders and owners statewide who do not oppose their animals being classified as property are somehow abusive in nature simply because they wish to protect their rights. The old “you’re with us or you’re for animal abuse” tactic employed so readily by animal rights advocates. And there IS a difference between animals rights and animal welfare. The truth is that the majority of owners in this state are responsible people who care very much for their pets, and who really don’t need micromanagement by the likes of Ms Starr and her kind.

The erosion of personal property rights needs to stop somewhere and for me, this is the line in the sand. As a Virginia citizen, I’ll be supporting this bill at every opportunity.

#1. CLOSE DOWN MICKS- love the spot but the food is beyond terrible! should be a crime to sell that stuff
#2. We need a place that we can dance and have a good time. Every City near has some type of restaurant that turns into a dance/bar after hours. I strongly suggest doing this and enforcing a dress code! LOTS OF $$
#3. We need a Red Lobster/ Capt D’s (something sea food!)
#4. We could use a NEW MOVIE THEATER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!
#5. CAN WE HAVE A COSTCO/ SAMS?!

I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE NEW MARKET PLACE IS SLOW AT MARKETING!! WHO IS IN CHARGE!?! GEEZ LOUISE!!

yes, I know you only asked about Chipotle, but I thought I should say more! ;* smooches! happy vday!!