The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Stealing a dog is a felony in Virginia. Cats, however, get no respect. Snatch one and you're unlikely to be charged.
A proposed law under review in the House of Delegates would change that, making the punishment for stealing a dog and a cat identical.
A brazen thief who tucked a kitten named Ernie under his shirt and ran out of the Richmond SPCA last year sparked the movement for what advocates have jokingly dubbed "Ernie's Law."
"All I'm trying to do is have the law reflect that if you steal a cat or you steal a dog, the penalty should be the same," said Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, sponsor of HB334.
Cats present a legal quandary because of their independent nature, lawmakers noted during Monday's discussion in a House Courts of Justice subcommittee.
Del. H. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said he had a cat that disappeared for three years, only to return a few weeks ago.
"If it wanders off the property and they (other people) start caring for it, are they guilty of a Class 5 felony?" he asked.
Farmers, especially those with dairy cows, who often end up taking in wandering cats attracted to milk, have similar concerns.
"We wouldn't want farmers convicted of a felony for cats they don't own and aren't trying to steal," said Lindsay Potts, lobbyist for the Virginia Farm Bureau.
Lawmakers asked that advocates clarify the proposed law before it's reconsidered. Cats are sometimes stolen for bait in dog fights or for medical research, advocates said.
The main point is to make sure people who steal cats and dogs are treated equally, said Robin Starr, director of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She was able to track down the man who stole Ernie, a gray and white kitten, because a staffer jotted down the thief's license plate.
Starr negotiated with the man for three days, finally securing Ernie's return in a meeting at a junkyard.
SPCA officials tried to prosecute him, but found cats are not covered under existing law, which makes stealing a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull or calf a Class 5 felony, punishable by one to 10 years in jail.
Instead, the applicable charge for stealing a cat was a Class 1 misdemeanor for larceny of objects under $200. The Richmond commonwealth's attorney was not interested in prosecuting, Starr said.
"Had he stolen a puppy, we could have charged him," she said. "People who love their cats love them just as much as dogs."
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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If you want to hit a cat with your car....
... You have to lead your target ;-)
Yes, I'm a cat owner ;-)
To Robert, city code quoting, jungle cat vs pit bull/food chain
Did you think before you typed? A Bengal cat? Seriously?! Robert we are discussing domesticated animals...not the food chain, or fantasy animal fights between "lowly pit bulls and Bengal tigers". Please don't muddy the waters of intelligent comments with obscure senseless ramblings. What are you, 9?
Besides, in the city, a Bengal cat would be shot on sight. So put that in your Garanimals pocket.
How to get rid of Vermin
If you have a cat problem in your garden. Mix some antifreeze with rat poisen and cat food and place the mixture strategically around your garden. While I have never tried this I would expect that the pest would find the meal very tasty.
On the other hand cats are much smarter than dogs. While I have runover 3 dogs, one racoon, and one bird in the last 25 years, I have never even seen a cat run out in front of a car.
Here kitty
Cat is the other white meat. While doing a stint / tour of duty in South America, I was introduced to a few of the local meals. One of them was fried cat. Taste just like chicken. Cats also are natural predators; they will attack just about anything. Ever see a cat and raccoon fight? Cat’s lose. Dog’s find cats tasty also. I myself like cats and not just to eat. They can be loving and faithful companions. Sadly, if a cat develops rabies it will wander off and pass away. If you love your pet so much spend the money to have a chip installed. They are cheap and you get your cat back. Have your cat updated with its shots. Never de-claw your cat; it has very limited means of self-protection. Keep your litter box clean. Have your animal spade or neutered. The city of Portsmouth offers traps to its residents for trapping cats. I have used them and done very well. The city picks them up and the owner can go claim them, for a price. Therefore, this means your free kitty can cost you big. Responsibility people rest with each of us.
Cat's are Top of the Food Chain???
Then mine is missing more then a few links ;-)
This law won't work...
It is unfair and will put several chinese buffets out of buisness.
Cats
Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through the snow.
Jeff Valdez
Cats Owners
Should be shot for letting thier cats out. While they are independent, they are domesticated animals and should not be let out to be killed, run over, shot at, and all the other things to happen to a cat. I own cats and would NEVER let them run outside the home.
All of our cats have been adopted. 1 in particular, the most loving cat I ever had, I rescued as a kitten from a mud/icey puddle as approximately 10-12 week old kitten. Someone had tossed her away like yesterday's garbage. Took her in, cleaned her up, fed her, took her to the vet and she stayed with us till she died.
People who let cats roam should be shot, and people who throw away their pets, or their litters, should be skinned alive slowly, while soaking in alcohol.
Animal at large...
It may be illegal to steal a dog from someones property but if your dog gets out, is picked up or decides that another house seems more comfy, it is not a crime because it is an animal at large. Don't believe me, have your dog run away and call the police to help you retrieve your pet from the person that "stole" it, even if you know where it is. You will be told to file a civil suit and prove that the dog is yours. Cats that roam are animals at large. Don't be confused by the law or it's intentions. Now wouldn't it be nice if people that "found" dogs would also return them when their owners attempt to retreive them? It is called common decency. I've got that T-shirt!!!
City Code 5-67, No animal is permitted to run at large.
To the "cat haters" who commented on this article. You are uneducated and cannot read the law!It is illegal for any dog or cat to run free in VA Beach, period. Cats are as much a part of a family as a dog and should be treated equally. Many dogs cause property destruction while on a leash under the supervision of their master as cats do. Also, I hate to break it to you, but cats are top of the food chain. Their genetic code is much older than dogs, and have you ever seen a 2000lb dog in the wild!? As stewards or this planet we should respect all creatures and each others property. I would put a Bengal Tiger up against a lowly pit bull any day! In the jungle, the dog is called dinner. Grow up people and take care of your animals.