I felt personally wounded when I read your note in the Post. I immediately checked in the VA. cruelty statutes under “cruelty to animals”: Under Va. code AQnn. &3.2-6570, among other felonies , it states that “Animal cruelty occurs when a personm …tortures, ill-treats…willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain…or cruelly or unnecessarily beats, maims, mutilates, or kills any animal. ..These activities constitute a Class 6 felony if the current violation of this subsection resulted in the death of an animal. The section specifically states that the word “animal” shall be construed to include birds and fowl. Unnecessary cruelty constitutes a class 6 Felony.
I am still searching for the relevant fines /punishment that should accompany this.

I shall try to involve as many people as I can to call the Springfield police and get them on the case. They should be good for something more than issuing traffic tickets.
Tom, can you tell me at what time this crime takes place and whether you have witnessed any additional killings?

I am working hard on a daily basis to inform and educate people re animal cruelty
and will for the rest of my life.
I appreciate you posting the action alerts.
Lately I have been campaigning against the circus , and the killing of baby seals in Canada. It never ends.

Natalie Forowa, Ph.D.
Annandale, VA. 22003

[Phone number of full address have been deleted - ed.]