Chained Cats Near Elkton Getting National Attention

[spinbaby]

This story about cats chained outside has been going around Facebook like mad today:

Smallwood said that all of her animals have names and that she feeds them and gives them water each day. She said she is not breaking any laws, and the Rockingham County sheriff agrees.

Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told WHSV by phone that they have been receiving complaints about this property for years. Sheriff Hutcheson said every time they go to investigate with the SPCA, they find all of the animals to be healthy, fed, and up-to-date on shots. The sheriff also said there is no specific Virginia law regarding tethered cats.

http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/Elktons-Chained-Cats-Getting-National-Attention-330590191.html?device=phone&c=y

[shenmue]

1. ...

[jberryhill]

2. "no specific Virginia law regarding tethered cats"

But they did have time to mandate unnecessary transvaginal ultrasounds.

Is there a specific Virginia law against giving this guy a wedgie?

No? Okay then.

[KentuckyWoman]

3. I expected wild cats not house cats.

That woman has a problem. Legal or not.......

Now that said we adopted a cat who's previous owner declawed all 4 paws...... himself. Asshole. The poor cat was in pretty bad shape when he showed up in our yard. He picked us and stayed by choice.

He liked being outside sometimes but not all the time. The vet at the SPCA suggested a harness and extra long leash to get him outside. We'd stay out with him for hours........ take him on walks through the woods..... wherever he wanted to go. Eventually the leash was not necessary because he'd get beyond where we could see him in the woods and we'd call. He'd find someplace in his own yard to investigate and then come back to us when he was ready to come in.

i would never ever leave a cat outdoors on a leash unattended. The risk of a cat hanging themselves is too great.

[Lyric]

4. I used to live in that area. My brother still does.

I have never heard of such a thing. What on earth is she thinking? I wish I knew more about it...I'd send my sister in law over there to ask her why she won't just give the kitties away to people who would let them live indoors.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. I don't know what to think. Obviously she cares for the cats but there must be a reason no one

Chains cats