Bill promotes vigilantism, not protection

Thank you for the consideration and recognition of Hilleary Bogley, who does a wonderful but often thankless and sad job of investigating and assisting in the prosecution of animal-abuse situations, as well as performing spectacularly as a knowledgeable information and education source on animal welfare (“Free and easy,” Jan. 13).

We are all lucky to have her services.

However, how dare you cite her in the same editorial as an endorsement of the self-serving, personal aggrandizing efforts of Don Marro to force his narrow interpretation of human and animal behavior upon the citizens and four-legged denizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia?

Hilleary Bogley is a trained and experienced investigator. She performs an essential role in and as part of legal enforcement exercised by the proper police functions of the local and state governments of the laws and regulations of this state.

Marro’s legislation, which I and others have worked hard to oppose in previous legislative session, furthers his personal views and agenda and not those interests of the people and animals of this state.

I am not a member nor associated with the Farm Bureau or the Virginia Agri-Business Council which you have damned with Marro’s words and without apparently investigating this legislation yourself.

Why would anyone oppose this effort? Easy: For the same reason that sensible people want law enforcement and police powers exercised by properly trained, authorized personnel, not the self-anointed special interests.

There is a very good reason that the constitutions of the United States and of Virginia protect persons and their property from search and seizure except by properly based and legally issued warrants, and Don Marro’s legislation is a very clear example of that reason.

Pass the so-called “Humane Investigator” legislation and have those persons with personal axes to grind anoint themselves in the name of “animal welfare” and “humane treatment” and have the right to come onto your property at will — their will — under the cloak of any claim of potential animal abuse.

With police powers, they can cite you for a violation that you then must defend while your animals are removed from your care or possession and you must fight to get them back.

The experience of those in Pennsylvania where PETA has taken over the Philadelphia Shelter is that some of those animals are never found again or have been “euthanized” without cause.

The “training” proposed by Mr. Marro would all be conducted by those approved and authorized by his special-interest groups, not by law enforcement authorities. This is a usurpation of the police powers of the government for private purposes and is improper, as well as a dangerous precedent.

These so-called investigators would exist outside the control and direction of local law enforcement officials but would exercise police powers.

Ask the sheriff how he feels about the potential liability and the dangers of such extralegal activities. Ask the public attorneys about the difficulty of prosecution for cases “made” by those persons who have a personal agenda and the burden of defending “state” actions by zealots.

The humane investigator bill as proposed by Don Marro and his associations is only “free and easy” if you do not count the cost to personal liberties or the trouble imposed on citizens forced to face off vigilantism in the name of one brand of special interest.

I love animals. In fact, I like them a lot better than most people. I abhor any abuse or mistreatment or neglect of any animal. I support good treatment of all animals, domestic or not.

But I am not about to surrender my rights to those who would force themselves on me, my animals, my property — or that of anyone else.

Yes, praise Hilleary Bogley. She does a wonderful job in the proper way in accordance with the law.

Hilleary Bogley deserves all our thanks. Vigilantism does not deserve endorsement or support.

Kathleen King

Warrenton