WASHINGTON — Virginia’s attorney general has received an award for the commonwealth’s efforts to curb animal abuse, and he’s using the occasion to draw attention to a new unit he created for the purpose.
The office of Attorney General Mark Herring received the Humane Law Enforcement Award for its role in shutting down and successfully prosecuting a cockfighting ring in Wise County, Virginia, and Kentucky last year.
Last month, Herring’s office says, he announced the creation of the nation’s first Animal Law Unit, to assist local and state law enforcement with efforts to combat animal abuse and fighting rings.
“Our office doesn’t have any additional authority to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty and animal crimes,” Herring says.
But it does train law enforcement and local animal cruelty agents across the state, and guide them in how to go after animal-abuse cases.
“We’re going to make sure that prosecutors and law enforcement around the state know that we’re here to assist,” Herring says.
WTOP’s Kathy Stewart contributed to this report.
