As Virginia Celebrates Pro-Animal Victories, Arlington County Fails
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| Big Boy, My Backyard Buddy © Jeannette Louise Smith | Arlington, Virginia |
There are many significant and influential elements that contribute to the protection of animals in America. In addition to individual citizens, a diverse range of local, state, and national organizations aim toward improving the lives of animals, preventing cruelty, and advocating for animal rights.
No matter what state you live in, local and state laws that provide legal protection for companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife are an absolute must.
Every year, The Animal Legal Defense Fund releases a comprehensive report ranking animal protection laws in all fifty states. In 2024, Virginia remained a top tier state and climbed from 15th to 13th in the nation.
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| 2024 Animal Legal Defense Fund Animal Protection State Law Rankings |
Also, The Humane World Action Fund, a separate lobbying affiliate of a Humane World for Animals, publishes an annual Humane Scorecard.
The longtime track records of both Virginia’s United States Senators, Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, plus Virginia’s United States House Representative Donald S. Beyer Jr., continually prove their commitment to pro-animal legislation.
This March, Virginia Governor Youngkin signed into law two PETA-supported bills regulating animal experimentation.
Senate Bill 1127, was introduced by Senator Jennifer B. Boysko (District 38), who collaborates with PETA, Humane World of Animals, and many other animal welfare advocates. Senate Bill 907 was introduced by Senator Bill Stanley (District 7), who during his fifteen year career, has introduced at least one pro-animal legislation during each session since 2011.
Arlington Virginia’s elected Virginia Senators Barbara Favola, District 40, and Senator Adam Ebbin, District 39, and Virginia State Delegates Patrick Hope, 1st District, Alfonso Lopez, 3rd District, advance legislation to end cruelty to sentient, intelligent animals in Virginia.
Like all American states, Virginia citizens or groups can advocate for legislation through the state's legislative process. State wildlife laws are primarily governed by individual state wildlife organizations.
In Virginia, the governing wildlife organization is the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. They propose, enact, enforce, and amend existing rules particularly concerning hunting practices and property rights.
Nonetheless, Virginia Code § 15.2-1113.1 grants localities, like counties and cities, the authority to enact ordinances related to wildlife, hence, Virginia law allows localities like Arlington County and Falls Church City to restrict hunting within their borders.
In February 2025, Arlington, Virginia’s neighbor, Falls Church City, took a monumental leap in wildlife protection and public safety.
Brought forth by Maria Rojas, Executive Assistant to the Falls Church City Manager, the Falls Church City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance to ban hunting activities within their municipal boundaries.
The goal of the Falls Church City, Virginia ban is to prevent safety risks associated with hunting in densely populated areas and remove outdated references to lawful hunting practices.
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Falls Church City Safety Concerns with Firearms and Archery Equipment
The adopted ordinance will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for inclusion in the Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest by the May 1, 2025 deadline.
This heralded legal measure by The Falls Church City Council is in complete antithesis to Arlington County Government’s November 16, 2024 adopted measure to cull white-tailed deer by sharpshooting.
By amending Arlington County’s Firearms ordinance (Chapter 13) and Miscellaneous Offenses and Provisions (Chapter 17) of the Arlington County Code, the Arlington County Government has egregiously encouraged private hunting in Arlington, Virginia parks and simultaneously created an enormous public safety hazard.
Synchronously, The Arlington County Board, the elected five-member governing body, has given the non-elected Arlington Deer Management Staff, which is within the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources Division, the authority to hire sharpshooters to kill white-tailed deer that inhabit Arlington local parks.
White-tailed deer are part of the natural ecosystem in Arlington, Virginia and countless urban cities across America. Local governments like Arlington County must protect and expand wildlife habitats by implementing humane management plans that improve both the natural lands and the species that inhabit them.
An overwhelming majority of American citizens support local, state, and federal legislation that enhances protection of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. As citizens and constituents, it our responsibly to ensure pro-animal legislators on both local and state levels are elected into office.
Ask political candidates about their position on animal welfare and rights, express your opinion, and help facilitate pro-animal policies to become legally binding rules.
RESOURCES
Peaceful Coexistence with White-tailed Deer by Humane World for Animals
February 24, 2025 Falls Church City Council Meeting
Virginia Code § 15.2-1113.1. Prohibiting hunting in certain areas
June 17, 2025: Virginia State and Arlington County Dual Party Primary Election
Find Election Dates and Deadlines in Your State and Locality
Learn Your State Elected Official’s Humane Scorecard
2024 Animal Legal Defense Fund Animal Protection State Law Rankings
Arlington and Virginia Elected Officials
