(Huffington Post)
People found guilty of abusing dogs and cats will now face stiffer punishments in Virginia thanks to a new bill making animal cruelty a felony in the state.
The bill, signed by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) on Monday, will come into effect on July 1, WSLS-TV reported.
Dubbed “Tommie’s Law,” after a pit bull who was tied to a fence and intentionally set on fire in a Richmond park in February, the bill elevates cruel and unnecessary “beating, maiming, mutilating, or killing a dog or cat” to a Class 6 felony charge. Earlier legislation had stipulated an animal had to die because of abuse to be considered a felony offense in the state. Read more