Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Animal Cruelty

Animal Control has been dispatched to my house twice and took custody of my dog. This second time, they found him with a heat stroke due to the high heat level. The vet told me that even though I did leave my house for 30 minutes and left water outside this could have occurred. Animal control wants to charge me with Animal cruelty. What can I do about this? I only left home for 40 minutes and left him outside. He stays inside of the house but not this time. What are the penalties for this?


Asked on 6/20/09, 8:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Animal Cruelty

Make sure that these animal control bureaucrats are fully aware of all of the relevant facts in this situation as well as the opinion of the vet.

I do not believe that they have a viable case against you if in fact the facts are as you claim (and you should refuse to plead guilty to anything--in my opinion--if such an offer is tendered by the local prosecutor's office.)

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Answered on 6/27/09, 11:53 am


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