Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: FRIDAY, July 27, 1990 TAG: 9007280351 SECTION: SMITH MOUNTAIN TIMES PAGE: SMT-7 EDITION: BEDFORD SOURCE: DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Those of us who sat through the (May 30) trial learned that, in this state, it is only a misdemeanor to kill a dog or other companion animal. On the other hand, it is a felony to kill a cow, horse or mule. Judge Davis stated that if it had been possible under the law, he would have had no problem convicting the defendants of conspiring to kill the dogs. "But," Davis said, "the General Assembly in all its wisdom says you cannot have a conspiracy in a misdemeanor case."
The laws must be changed. We are still in the planning stages of a petition campaign and welcome your suggestions. The court may have rendered its decision, but the people have yet to speak.\ Mary Kaplan Franklin County Humane Society
by CNB