Virginia Beach SPCA - Shelter Information

Dear VBSPCA

Exactly one month ago I adopted Emma (#30) from Parkersburg, WV at your shelter. She has been the perfect dog - never made mess in the house - behaved nicely on the leash - only chews on her toys - etc. but, as to be expected, has been painfully shy and frightened. Her days have been primarily spent choosing to be either in her crate or in a corner of the family room with her squeaky toys. We made progress but I was beginning to think that she would never be a really "normal" dog.

Today, however, I truly believe we have made the breakthrough. After her breakfast this morning, she ran to go into her corner and then decided the couch looked better and jumped up taking her morning snooze up there.

Then I felt ready to take the big step I've been worried about - letting her off the lead. Although my yard in completely fenced, I've always kept her on a lead for fear of her hiding from me. Well, I put the leash down and let her drag it along. At first she didn't realize that we weren't attached to each other. When she did realize she began running around the yard with her tail up and then came right back to me without me saying anything. I threw a little stick for her. Rather than crouching down in fear, she chased it. When she was ready to go back indoors she put her paws up on my leg, as she has been doing and I brought her back in for a treat.

I felt so good about today that I wanted to share. We have a long way to go but perhaps Emma will become a "normal" dog - one small step at a time.

Thank you.

Margaret W.

The Virginia Beach SPCA is actively working to end the cruelty of puppy mills. With your generous donations and the dedicated support of a network of wonderful volunteers, our rescue and adoption efforts for 107 animals saved from desperate conditions have yielded tremendous results. Click here to see photos of how your direct involvement is transforming these dogs from trembling and distant creatures to joyful and loving companions.

October 26, 2008 - The Virginia Beach SPCA's 30th Annual Walk for the Animals - 31st Street Park!

Click here to register on-line Once you've registered (or even if you're unable to join us at the Walk), you can create your own personal fundraising web page. This year, you can raise funds online individually or as part of a "pack". Click here to get started!. Top individual and team fundraisers will be eligible for fantastic prizes!

What Is A Citizen Supposed To Do?

We are the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals so it is self-evident that we want citizens to speak out on their behalf if they see abuse or neglect. We also expect the law enforcement agency to pursue these complaints and to take appropriate and responsive action to protect animals. Here is a recent story:

March 12, 2008- An SPCA employee witnesses a man holding a dog to the ground and hitting it in the head with his fists. An Animal Control officer responded to his complaint, elected to not issue a summons despite neighbors’ confirming that this activity has occurred before, and suggested the employee file a complaint with the magistrate (no information regarding the process of filing a complaint was provided to the employee).

March 13, 2008- After being contacted by the employee’s supervisor, a Lieutenant with Animal Control said she would investigate and was very clear the officer should have provided assistance to the witness in pursuing a magistrate’s warrant

March 20, 2008- A summons for animal cruelty was issued against the assailant.

May 15, 2008-Subpoena had been sent to the SPCA employee/ witness for this Court date, the employee appeared but the case was continued. The officer had not contacted the witness nor spoke with him in Court but did hand him a card with identifying the next court day, which turned out to be the incorrect date

May 27,2008- No subpoena has been received with correct Court date so call was made to officer at Animal Control requested a call back. No return call

June 15, 2008- Still no subpoena received, another call made to Animal Control to reach officer requesting return call. No call back

July 7, 2008-A check of the Virginia Court case site shows that this case was heard on 6/09 and continued and then set again for 7/7 and was nolle prosequi (not prosecuted). That is done at the request of the Animal Control Officer. Our employee/witness had never been contacted, did not receive a subpoena nor a return call. On that date, I contacted the Police Captain supervising Animal Control and advised him of this series of events. I also copied the Commonwealth Attorney.

July 8, 2008- I received a response from the Police Captain that said "not sure what happened here but it appears it might have been compounded by the officer writing the incorrect date".I second Sharon's request to re-open the case" The Commmonwealth Attorney's office responded that they were not involved in this matter but had separate pending criminal charges against the assailant and if the warrant was re-issued and served quickly, then the animal cruelty matter could be added to the Court docket on 7/21. The Police Captain copied the Lieutenant and a supervisor at Animal Control to "move forward with the case".

July 24, 2008-Again, I contacted the Police Captain as our employee/witness never was called to court, no subpoenea was received. I looked onto the Court site and found the other cases were heard on 7/21 but the animal cruelty was not on the docket.

July 28, 2008- I received an email from the Captain informing me that there was a petition to the Court to re-open the matter on 8/4. I advised that the employee/witness would be available that day and reminded him that the Animal Control officer had contact information for him as well.

July 29, 2008- We were informed by the Lieutenant that the employee/witness need not appear on 8/4, it was only a motion to re-open the case.

August 4, 2008- When I checked the Court site that afternoon, I learned that the case had been dismissed. I emailed the Captain to ask what happened and was told that the "judge denied the motion to re-open the case".

August 6, 2008- I have asked which officer appeared in court on this matter and what reason the judge gave. No response to date.

This one case has taken lots of our time and had it not been for our persistence, nothing at all would have happened. Indeed, nothing did happen on behalf of the dog or in holding the assailant responsible. What should a citizen do when witnessing a clear and obvious act of animal cruelty? Let us know what you think by sending us an email at executivedirector@vbspca.com