Virginia protects elephants and dogs

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 5, 2024) – Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, released its 2024 Virginia Humane Scorecard. The scorecard grades legislators’ actions on animal protection legislation introduced during the 2024 session. In a victory year for animals, state lawmakers passed eight anti-cruelty bills, including measures to crack down on exploitative pet financing, bolster animal testing transparency, prohibit the use of cruel bullhooks on elephants, and increase access to veterinary care.

"The advancement of compassion and care for all animals in Virginia was apparent this year in our state. Bipartisan support for companion animals, captive wild animals and animals used for research shows that there should be no sides when it comes to protecting animals. Our lawmakers did the right thing, and we are celebrating this victory while looking ahead to next year,” said Cheryl Crowe, Virginia State Director for the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

The bills scored on the 2024 Virginia Humane Scorecard which passed the state legislature and were signed into law include:

Animal Cruelty Conviction List (HB 62/SB 93): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor to permit localities to create and maintain a publicly accessible animal cruelty conviction registry displaying the names of those convicted of felony animal cruelty in Virginia. Sen. William Stanley (R), Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D), Del. Ellen Campbell (R), Del. N. Baxter Ennis (R), Del. Hyland Fowler (R), Del. Chris Runion (R), and Del. Kim Taylor (R) sponsored this legislation.
Cruelty Ownership and Possession (HB 223/SB 11): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage to prohibit any person convicted of felony cruelty to animals from possession or ownership of of companion or equine animals. Sen. Barbara Favola (D), Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D), and Del. Robert Orrock (R) sponsored this legislation.
Pet Shops and Consumer Credit (HB 330): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage to prohibit the financing of a dog or cat unless the contract/agreement compiles with state and federal law related to the offering of consumer credit. Del. Orrock (R) and Del. Shelly Simonds (D) sponsored this legislation.
Transparency in Public Information Reported from Animal Testing Facilities (HB 580/SB 411): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a Task Force to analyze and identify deficiencies with transparency in publicly funded animal testing facilities. With a Task Force established, there will be greater scrutiny on facilities that test on animals like dogs and rabbits. Del. Shelly Simonds (D), Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D), and Sen. William Stanley (R) sponsored this legislation.
Dangerous Dog Adjudication Timing (HB 804): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage to require an evidentiary hearing pursuant to a dangerous dog summons to be held within 30 days or as soon as possible from the issuance of the summons. Del. Sam Rasoul (D) sponsored this legislation.
Veterinary Trainee Licensure (HB 848): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage to allow any currently enrolled veterinary medicine licensure applicant to practice a limited scope of veterinary medicine. Del. Will Davis (R), Del. Israel O'Quinn (R), Del. Nicholas Freitas (R), Del. Thomas Garrett (R), Del. Chris Runion (R), and Del. Michael Webert (R) sponsored this legislation.
Bullhook Prohibition (HB 1531): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage to prohibit using bullhooks, axe handles, block/tackle, or engaging in certain practices to discipline, train or attempt to control the behavior of an elephant. Del. Kathy Tran (D), Del. Marcia Price (D), Del. Sam Rasoul (D), Del. Irene Shin (D), Del. Rae Cousins (D), and Del. Debra Gardner (D) sponsored this legislation.
Off-Premises Vaccination and Microchip Clinics (SB 412): A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of passage to permit approved clinics to offer rabies and microchipping services. Sen. Boysko (D) sponsored this legislation.

HSLF only scores bills that receive roll-call votes to accurately reflect legislators’ actions.

As the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, HSLF has published a Congressional Humane Scorecard since 2006 to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships, and other actions of federal lawmakers. This resource effectively records which members of Congress are animal champions and which need more political pressure to denounce cruelty. Now, the organization is increasing its release of state-level scorecards, to build on the progress made in animal protection at the state level and hold members of the state legislature accountable to animal advocates.

Virginia voters are encouraged to use this scorecard to make humane choices at the ballot box in future elections.

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