Botetourt County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jill Deegan has seen her fair share of animal abuse cases.
Until now, standard of care was set for cats and dogs. Agricultural animals were only protected by animal cruelty laws, where the animal was on its last leg.
"It was a higher standard, and conditions had to be worse,” says Deegan.
The new law requires people to give the animals proper feed, water, and veterinary care. It compliments current animal cruelty laws, by lowering the cruelty threshold for agricultural animals, and requires proper care all of the time, not just in times of necessary treatment.
"Those standards were often time interpreted to mean the animal had to be dead before you could take action,” Deegan said.
Deegan believes not only does the law set a standard of care, but it also makes it easier for animal control officers to intervene and seize animals.
"They don't have to allow the animal to continue out in the field suffering, while they are waiting to make that 'fine line' determination of does it reach the bounds of cruelty,” said Deegan.
Harmony Farms sanctuary brings in at least one farm animal a month. Lisa O’Neil is happy about the law, saying many of these animals were forgotten about.
"They have the right to be protected by the law, and not have to suffer neglect and cruelty just like dogs and cats do,” says O’Neil.
The law went into effect just over one week ago, however Deegan is certain the law will prevent more animals from suffering, and help get the care they need.
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