REGULATION OF RESCUES TRANSPORTING DOGS

The State of Virginia has just passed a law regulating rescues and shelters about reporting to potential adopters about a previous history of bites with cats and dogs. This came about as a result of a horrendous attack by a newly adopted pit bull who killed within hours of adoption. The 'rescue' that adopted out this pit did so with a shock collar on it, and instructions to the new owner about removing the collar. As soon as the owner did remove the collar, the pit went after her mother and killed her. To top it all, this same rescue has many complaints and is still in business.

https://blog.dogsbite.org/2017/06/dog-bite-fatality-adopted-out-pit-bull-kills-virginia-beach.html

""Senate Bill 571 will become law on July 1st in the State of Virginia. The law requires releasing agencies to disclose all bite history for dogs and cats.

The releasing agencies must ask if the dog or cat has bitten a person or animal, including the date when the bite happened. The bite incident must then be documented.""

http://www.wvva.com/story/38472176/2018/06/20/new-law-in-virginia-requires-full-disclosure-of-dog-and-cat-bites

""RICHMOND, Virginia––The era of shelters and rescues concealing dog attack history from prospective adopters is over,  says the Virginia state legislature,  effective July 1,  2018.""

https://www.animals24-7.org/2018/05/30/virginia-bars-shelters-rescues-from-hiding-dogs-bite-history/

This is in addition to so many attacks and deaths by recently adopted dogs, especially pits. 

We must do better adoptions. The movement of more adoptions is not the path, better adoptions. Pushing pets out the door to brag about numbers is unethical. Unfortunately the horrible Hayden Law forces this path on our shelters, no longer can all their experience dictate what is in the best interest of our pets and public safety. Please repeal the Hayden.