ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Good news for animal-loving people in Alexandria. State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) recently introduced a bill in the Virginia General Assembly that would increase penalties for animal cruelty, making progress. The news was first reported by Patch on February 2nd.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously. To be signed into law, it must pass the House of Representatives before heading to Governor Youngkin's (R-Va.) desk.
If the bill becomes law, killing, maiming, or poisoning agricultural animals or livestock would become a fifth-degree felony. Under current law, the crimes listed above are punishable as first-degree misdemeanors for the first violation and sixth-degree felonies for subsequent violations.
According to Virginia Code Section 18.2-10, a Class 5 felony is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than 10 years “or in the discretion of the jury or court hearing the case.” Instead of jail time, violators will be subject to a $2,500 fine, or both.
Patch reported that Evin was motivated to sponsor the bill after two animal cruelty crimes in Alexandria last year. Zebra readers may remember the attempted dog poisoning in Del Rey. The man was arrested in connection with the incident and sentenced to one year's probation and 100 hours of community service. His six-month prison sentence was suspended. In another incident, a fish hook was found in a sausage in the area of Duke Street and Ingram Street, and the suspect has not yet been found.
This is a developing story.
[SEE ALSO: Alexandria-Born NFL Player in Super Bowl Next Week]
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