Cats Out of the Bag II – Delegate McClellan Responds

Last week in The Virginian Federalist’s continuing series to educate the public on bills the MSM isn’t discussing, General Assembly Analysis, we brought you the text of HB 334. We contacted Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D-71) asking her why she proposed this bill. She kindly responded:

This bill was put in at the request of the Richmond SPCA to make the penalty for stealing a cat the same as the penalty for stealing a dog, cow, mule, and several other animals. The SPCA had a cat stolen from its lobby, and when they tried to prosecute, they found that it is a misdemeanor to steal a cat. As a result, when the defendant failed to show up for his arraignment, the prosecutor declined to prosecute. When asked why the penalties would not be the same for dogs and cats, no one could come up with a good answer, as dog and cat owners are equally devastated by such a loss. Therefore, I agreed to introduce the bill.

Waldo Jaquith had a very interesting take on the bill which I am inclined to agree with:

Cats are not working animals, and existing law is designed to cover working animals. There are no seeing eye cats. No cat has ever pulled a plow. Cats will not help the paralyzed live an independent life. They will not hunt for truffles, guard your sheep, or provide milk. Cats, in short, are without economic value.

It doesn't matter how much you love cats, if somebody kills your cat, you are not deprived of any economic value. Cats are, after all, free. And that is the line between felony and misdemeanor. To deprive somebody of an animal of economic value -- a working animal -- is a felony. To kill somebody's gerbil, ferret, parrot or cat is a misdemeanor. There is logic to this schism.

I like cats...or, at least, kittens. My wife and I routinely foster cats for the SPCA -- we just adopted one out last week. They're swell critters. But, let's face it, they fail the working test.

But alas, regardless of your position on catty penalties, the bill failed in committee. Read More. . . .

AG McDonnell working to remove alien sex offenders from Virginia

The Virginia State Police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell are working together to remove from Virginia convicted criminal alien sex offenders. The state and federal cooperative action will be a model for other states. At a press conference this morning the AG reported that the coordinated actions of the agencies has resulted in processing 135 convicted criminal alien sex offenders for deportation upon completion of their incarceration and an additional 36 criminal alien sex offenders being taken into federal custody to be processed for removal. The AG, the Commonwealth and ICE are to be commended for their joint action to improve the safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth. Read More. . . .

National Night Out

Tonight was National Night Out observed in many neighborhoods across the country.

National Night Out is a crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. My neighborhood participated sponsored by the volunteers of our neighborhood association. It was a pleasant,warm summer evening. Children were splashing in the adjacent neighborhood pool. Parents and residents gathered outside the clubhouse, and became acquainted or reacquainted with their neighbors. Hot dogs and drinks were shared, as well as stories and family updates. A contingent from the Newport News local police precinct came by to visit and meet the residents as well. We don't see them much, there is little occasion for them to visit professionally, but it is good to know them as friends and neighbors. If you did not have a chance to join in a similar event this year I recommend participating next year.
Read More. . . .