THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508300186
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
JOY WHITE, the new humane investigator for Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, is fiercely protective of animal rights.
As a member of the investigative committee of the Hampton Roads Equine Humane Association, White frequently received calls from people asking where to report animal abuse.
After investigating several cases, White realized she needed to be bonded, and Animal Control Officer Cheryl Pisani helped her with the process.
``I had to take a home course and learn all the laws regarding animal welfare,'' she said. ``I also had to go out with a vet on farm calls.''
White was required to observe a necropsy on a foal at the Animal Health Division Regional Laboratory in Ivor and to report the results.
``I looked at it as a learning experience,'' she said.
White took her final exam in Ivor. After a recommendation to the commonwealth's attorneys of Isle of Wight County and Suffolk, White was bonded, sworn in, and is now empowered to investigate abuse cases and make arrests.
White joins forces with Virginia Hope, who has been Suffolk's humane investigator for the past 35 years. Formerly, Isle of Wight County had no humane investigator, White said.
``If I find abuse, I'll talk to the people and give them time to comply with the rules,'' White said. ``But if I knock on a door and I'm refused, I can get a court order.''
White said animal abuse is often the result of ignorance.
``There is nothing saying you have to have a certain amount of food, water and shelter for an animal,'' White said. ``The American Horse Council has come up with guidelines, but they can't be enforced until laws are changed.
``Some animals are put into too small a space. If you educate people, they seem to appreciate it. However, there are some who are just mean.''
A native of Portsmouth, White developed a love for animals early. As a child, she cared for abandoned baby rabbits and could not resist bringing animals home with her.
``I would steal other people's animals and my mother would have to go around the neighborhood and find out who had a new puppy,'' White said, laughing. ``Everyone would say, `It's up at the Whites' house.' ''
On Christmas Day 1962, White was thrilled to find a saddle under the Christmas tree.
Later in the afternoon, White's father asked her and her brother, Dennis, to ride with him to a friend's house. In the friend's barn stood another Christmas present - a black and white pony wearing a big red bow.
``He had little white spots, and we named him `Chips,' '' White said. ``I was 10 years old, and it was my very best Christmas.''
Through the years, White has had several jobs. Except for her present part-time job as an equipment operator with the Virginia Department of Transportation, all have involved caring for animals.
In 1971, White went to work for an animal hospital. She began as a ``cage cleaner'' and worked her way up to grooming animals and assisting the veterinarians in surgery and with treatments.
White helped with cleaning and feeding miniature horses at the South Point Farm and Tack Shop in Whaleyville, worked in a grooming shop, and was employed at the Tidewater Research Facility in Holland.
``I learned everything I wanted to know about hogs,'' she said, smiling.
White took a weeklong course in Southern Pines, N.C., to become certified as an equine massage therapist.
``I had to learn all the muscles and their functions,'' she said. ``Like any other athlete, horses need to stay in condition, and it helps to massage their bodies.''
Today, White, 43, lives on her farm with six dogs, five cats and three horses.
Next year, she and her boyfried, Kenny Johnson, plan to take her pure-bred Arabian gelding to the Arabian Nationals in Kentucky to show him in first- and second-level dressage.
``My hobby is riding,'' White said. ``My whole life revolves around my animals.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Humane investigator Joy White enjoys spending a little time with
just a few of her pets, from left, Colt, Muffin and Cody.
by CNB