Virginia to enact 'Tommie's Law,' making animal cruelty a felony
FOX NEWS - Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law on Monday a bill that will make animal cruelty a felony in the commonwealth.
Dubbed "Tommie's Bill," the legislation is set to change current law -- which, according to WWBT, states that those who abuse animals "can only be charged with a misdemeanor unless the animal dies."
But after the Democratic governor signed the bill into law, animal cruelty will be considered a Class 6 felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, and up to five years in prison.
The bill was named after Tommie, a male brindle pit bull who was found tied to a pole after being "covered in accelerant and intentionally lit on fire" in February.