I am opposed to fast-tracking the regulatory process and to withdrawing the State Vet from this activity. The State Vet's role is necessary to appointment authority and training of Humane Investigators. This a time of scarcity and budget deficits. The Humane Investigators are volunteers. They perform an invaluable service by investigating reports of animal cruelty. In this way, they supplement the efforts of the overworked Animal Control Officers. Everyone benefits:  animals, taxpayers, and ACO's.

I am a court appointed Humane Investigator for Fairfax County and have been for almost 20 years and I am in opposition to the "fast track" process and the withdrawal of the State Veterinarian from this process.  I believe that as a volunteer Humane Investigator, I serve in a much needed position in the fight against animal cruelty and neglect.

We are asking you to reinstate the Humane Investigator volunteer program

We are AGAINST the State Vet "fast track" approval program (intended to divest itself of any further responsibility for promulgating regulations about the training and appointment of Humane Investigators).  The State Vet's authority may have been curtailed, but it has not been eliminated.

The Humane Investigator program is worthwhile.  I want my taxes to go for this program.

BL Sansotta family

Woodbridge, VA

22193

I am opposed to the "fast track" process and the withdrawal of the State Veterinarian from this process.  As someone who is concerned about animal welfare, I believe humane investigators are one of the few effective tools we have to combat animal cruelty.

I agree that the Humane Investigator program is worthwhile.   Having the training and appointment authority disappear would be a mistake. I oppose the "fast track" process and oppose the withdrawal of the State Vet from this activity.

As a resident of VA and an animal lover, I feel it is imperative that we have and continue to have Humane Investigators and training for this program.  The State Vet for VA should be the one to oversee this training and program.  The fact that the State Vet is trying to eliminate this training and position, goes totally against part of a vets responsibility.  This state needs all the help and investigators possible.  There have been many instances of puppy mills and abuse.  Who would investigate this type of complaint if we didn't have the Humane Investigator position and training?  Doesn't the state vet do the necropsy - wouldn't that be the two units working together to bring charges, if possible against people who are involved in criminal activity whether felony or not?  It is very important to continue to take the time to train and continue this program without trying to dismiss this so the Vet does not have to have any responsibility.  I have at times, called the state vets office and received little to no satisfaction, which shows me that they are not interested in the public good, which is the whole problem with their wanting to "fast track" this issue.

Implementing the "fast track" program and divesting the State Veterinarian's office of its responsibility in the process would be taking a step backwards as far as animal welfare is concerned. I can't see any good coming from making it more difficult to recruit volunteer humane investigators who make animal control officers' jobs easier and do such an amazing job of rescuing animals from dire situations! Please ensure that the State of Virginia manages to recruit as many qualified humane investigators as possible -- there aren't enough as it is.

 It was a mistake to allow the H.I. program to die four years ago. It will only compound that mistake by fast tracking to eliminate future H.I.s who will be needed to take the place of those existing H.I.s who must bow out due to age or infirmities. A well crafted H.I. program that provided proper training, oversight and accountability would be an asset to the communities in which they served and to the ACOs within that community. We need a long view here not a short sighted narrow one.racking the elimination of traing for future H.I.s.

The Humane Investigator Program is a much needed program. I oppose the "fast track" program and the withdrawl of the State Vet from this activity. All state employees are taking on more responsibilites in our jobs. While it may not be conventient for the State Vet this is and should be a part of their job.

Anyone who works with animals, who help sick, abandoned and abused animals, and try to find homes for them, can tell you that the number of animals needing help are increasing at a staggering rate.  There are so many animals that need help and so few people to do the work.  Humane Investigators serve as a link between Rescue Groups and the Animal Control workers of each county.  The shelter employees are overworked and there are simply too many animals needing help and not enough employees or money to make a dent in the situation.  As a member of the Northern Neck Humane Society, my husband and I get telephone calls all the time from people reporting abused and neglected animals and looking for someone to help these pitiful creatures.  We can only do so much.  If we had a Humane Investigator who is sanctioned by the State, they would be able to go to these places and check on the situation and even be able to remove these animals from these horrible conditions that too many animals are forced to endure.  The Humane Investigator could fill in that position between the Humane Society and the Animal Control Officer.  Humane Investigators are unpaid volunteers who simply want to help animals.  I can see no reason to eliminate this position as it only serves to help those who cannot help themselves.   The people who choose to take the training, using their time and money, should be encourged to do so.  I don't see how the state of Virginia could view this as anything but an asset to them and not something they are seeking to do away with.  Please vote to keep Humane Investigators.  It is a matter of conscience and concern for so many animals who need all the help they can get.   

I am opposed to fast-tracking the Humane Investigator regulatory process. I was a Humane Investigator for five years and know personally of the need for training and appointment authority in order to preserve the integrity of this valuable program. Humane Investigators are volunteers and as such, their appointments should be regulated and training should be provided on an on-going basis.We can never have too many eyes looking upon issues of animal abuse and neglect. Certainly, the efforts of Humane Investigators complements the work of our animal control officers.I believe most localities could use  more animal control officers, but since local budgets will not support significant increases in this area, Humane Investigators offer a viable option that does not require local funding and is therefore, cost-effective. I would be in favor of strengthening the program not only in terms of education provided, but to coordinate better with local animal control.  I view the administration of this program as the responsibility of the State Veterinarian's office and am a little perplexed as to why the State Vet doesn't hold the same view.

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Gifted students have special education needs and they should be treated as any other groups of people who need special programs. I strongly oppose to any changes that may be detrimental to gifted education programs.

LDSS should ensure each provider receives at least quarterly and not annual training. LDSS should change the approval period for providers from 24 mths and not 36 months. This needs to be more frequent. DSS should provide mandatory tanining more frequent  than an annual basis at least quarterly. Also, gun ammunition should be locked separately, due to safety concerns. No child should be able to quickly access to a loaded weapon.  "Child" should mean any person under 21 instead of 18 years of age. This would ensure 18-21 year olds receive needed treatment. For home studies, there should be at least 3 references from a nonrelative. They could only be from relatives. Local departmetns should conduct a minimum of 2 face to face interviews in the applicant's home. I agree that the approval period for a provider should be 36 mths. In addition. Trainings provided should be face to face and not online courses. They should be offered on a consistent basis. The local department's representative should visit the home at least monthly and not quarterly. Quarterly visits would be a disservice to children and families involved.  For the re-approval process, there does not need to be results obtained for the turberculosis screnning.

Opposed to Fast Track approval of these Humane Investigator guidance regulations.

The Volunteer Humane Investigator Program was extremely valuable to Virginia in that it alleviated much cruelty, freed up ACO's, cost practically nothing and cut down on law-breaking.  This is exactly the type of program the funding-strapped state of Virginia needs.  ACO's seldom have the time or funds to perform all their regular duties and are thus rarely able to take on the sort of investigative work done by HI's.  Such work is sorely needed though, as shown by last year's Michael Vick and Campbell County puppy mill cases.  Trained volunteer humane investigators are an enormous asset to any Virginia community and I urge you to do what is necessary to reinstate this vital program statewide.

I  oppose  the fast  track approval  of   repeal of   Humane  Investigator  Guidance  regulations,  and the  withdrawal of the   state veterinarian.   Enforcing  the humane treatment  of animals  is  part of the  state veterinarian's   job!

Virginia  needs humane  investigators.   They cost  the state nothing,  and   are a  great asset  in helping  to take  some of the  load off   animal  control officers.  We  need  a program  in which  humane investigators  will be  added,  not  taken away,  and  this program  should  NEVER  have  been   downsized  in the first place!

Mollie  McCurdy

Waynesboro, Virginia

Q O

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I am writing to ask you to support the Humane Investigator program for Virginia and oppose the “fast track” process.  With animal cruelty and abuse increasing, it is imperative to have a robust program to investigate all cases.  Without it, the local animal control officers are at a loss – they simply can not do all the work required to ensure that animal abuse cases are properly investigated.  Virginia – a leader in the nation – must also lead in it’s caring attitude toward animals and willingness to pursue all abuses of cruelty – and penalizing to the greatest extent all convicted offenders.  The State Vet must be intimately involved in these cases.

Can we count on your support for this vitally important program?  Thank you .

I am writing to ask you to support the Humane Investigator program for Virginia and oppose the “fast track” process.  With animal cruelty and abuse increasing, it is imperative to have a robust program to investigate all cases.  Without it, the local animal control officers are at a loss – they simply can not do all the work required to ensure that animal abuse cases are properly investigated.  Virginia – a leader in the nation – must also lead in it’s caring attitude toward animals and willingness to pursue all abuses of cruelty – and penalizing to the greatest extent all convicted offenders.  The State Vet must be intimately involved in these cases.

Can we count on your support for this vitally important program?  Thank you .