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Published on: 8/6/2007
Last Visited: 8/6/2007
Susan Hunter, WVU associate professor of political science, said the state has provisions for animal overpopulation, vaccinations requirements, a strong dangerous-dog law and police powers for animal control officers as a county option.Her report is in the June issue of the West Virginia Public Affairs Report.
Though the state has a lot of good laws and regulations, Hunter said there can always be improvements when it come to animal cruelty laws.
Hunter, who is involved with animal rescue, said a major issue with the state's animal welfare policy is the ability of counties and municipalities to investigate animal cruelty.
"Some counties can't investigate cruelty at all while other counties just need a little help," Hunter said."Most counties get virtually no funding.Some places just don't have the funds to enforce the law."
Due to the state's animal overpopulation, Hunter said closer attention needs to be paid to large shelters.She said there are state laws already written, but they need to be enforced at the local level.Once the laws are enforced locally, Hunter said the penalties for animal abuse and inhumane treatments need to be more severe.
Another problem the state is suffering from, she said, is the lack of data kept on enforcement.
"I can't say the laws are being enforced because there's no data," she said."I really hope state laws are being enforced, and there are inspection of kennels.But I have a distinctive feeling they're not."
According to cruelty laws in W.Va. State Code, "if any person maliciously maims, kills or causes the death of any horse, cow or other animal of another person, of a value of $100 or more, the person is guilty of a felony."Hunter said the section appears to exclude dogs and livestock with a value of less than $100.Even though previously laws have been superceded by stiffer codes, Hunter said the lax penalties are still being used by some prosecutors.
Though there are improvements that can be made, Hunter said the state legislature is doing a good job of protecting animals.
...
Susan Hunter, WVU associate professor of political science, said the state has provisions for animal overpopulation, vaccinations requirements, a strong dangerous-dog law and police powers for animal control officers as a county option.Her report is in the June issue of the West Virginia Public Affairs Report.
...
Though the state has a lot of good laws and regulations, Hunter said there can always be improvements when it come to animal cruelty laws.
Hunter, who is involved with animal rescue, said a major issue with the state's animal welfare policy is the ability of counties and municipalities to investigate animal cruelty.
"Some counties can't investigate cruelty at all while other counties just need a little help," Hunter said."Most counties get virtually no funding.Some places just don't have the funds to enforce the law."
Due to the state's animal overpopulation, Hunter said closer attention needs to be paid to large shelters.She said there are state laws already written, but they need to be enforced at the local level.Once the laws are enforced locally, Hunter said the penalties for animal abuse and inhumane treatments need to be more severe.
Another problem the state is suffering from, she said, is the lack of data kept on enforcement.
"I can't say the laws are being enforced because there's no data," she said."I really hope state laws are being enforced, and there are inspection of kennels.But I have a distinctive feeling they're not."
According to cruelty laws in W.Va. State Code, "if any person maliciously maims, kills or causes the death of any horse, cow or other animal of another person, of a value of $100 or more, the person is guilty of a felony."Hunter said the section appears to exclude dogs and livestock with a value of less than $100.Even though previously laws have been superceded by stiffer codes, Hunter said the lax penalties are still being used by some prosecutors.
Though there are improvements that can be made, Hunter said the state legislature is doing a good job of protecting animals.
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