Warren County at forefront of dog tether laws while Richmond fails humanity test

WARREN COUNTY – In the waning days of the recently completed Virginia House of Delegates session, members cudgeled to death bills aiming at protecting dogs from being tethered outdoors in excessive heat and cold for the third successive year, including a compromise ordinance passed by the Senate.

Meanwhile, in 2017, Warren County, both the Board of Supervisors and Town Council, humanely agreed on an ordinance similar to one that state legislators rejected. Front Royal animal welfare activist Carol Vorous is credited with succeeding in a year-long quest for local legislation to accomplish what the Commonwealth could not.

Briefly, the Warren County law, and laws passed in several Virginia counties, protect dogs from being chained or tied (tethered) outside in below freezing temperatures in winter months and in 90-plus degree summer heat. Warren County also provides a minimum length, and type of, chain (15 feet), and the time an animal may be tethered outside. Heretofore, animal control could merely bring owners’ attention to the animals’ misery. Now, citations may be issued and penalties are set.

The inhumanity of state legislators came to this writer’s attention during a visit to Gloucester County where the local press published a heart breaking letter to the editor from veterinarian Tonya Higgins who drew attention to the last-minute activities in Richmond.

“It is beyond understanding how our leaders can believe it is OK for dogs to be chained out in freezing cold, or to believe that dogs who live in one county should be protected, but those in another county should not,” Higgins wrote.

“We can all vow to get better laws next year, and, God willing, we will, but that will be little comfort for those dogs chained outside this summer and next winter.”

In Warren County the animals have a measure of protection due to the late year actions of our two government bodies, and the efforts of Ms. Vorous.