The Virginia Animal Owners Alliance was recently formed by animal owners for animal owners and is specifically focused on the issues affecting the State of Virginia. If you are a Virginia citizen who owns an animal or have a friend or family member in the State, this information is vital and could be life-changing. Animal owners in Virginia have been targeted and most citizens are completely unaware. The current code has been on the books for years, but is now being eagerly enforced to the detriment of animal owners and their beloved animals by the first Animal Law Unit in the nation. We must make our voices heard and let our representatives and fellow community members know what is at stake.
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!
Zeus aka “Cookies” was a dearly beloved tiger, cared for by dedicated zoo staff and his attending veterinarian, who knew and understood his care, attending to him constantly as he began to show signs of unwell. None of that mattered to the Animal Law Unit and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. Ignoring the expert opinion of the very people who had been treating him, they made a rushed, callous decision to take his life. And they didn’t do it humanely. They took a horrifying 48 minutes to end his suffering—not with care or compassion, but with incompetence and cruelty. His final moments, captured on the den camera, are almost too painful to imagine. Zeus didn’t deserve this. He was more than just a tiger—he was deeply loved, his life mattered, and the people who truly knew him fought for him. What happened to him is beyond inexcusable—it’s unforgivable.
https://www.change.org/JusticeForZeusTheTiger
Zeus aka “Cookies” was a dearly beloved tiger, cared for by dedicated zoo staff and his attending veterinarian, who knew and understood his care, attending to him constantly as he began to show signs of unwell. None of that mattered to the Animal Law Unit and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. Ignoring the expert opinion of the very people who had been treating him, they made a rushed, callous decision to take his life. And they didn’t do it humanely. They took a horrifying 48 minutes to end his suffering—not with care or compassion, but with incompetence and cruelty. His final moments, captured on the den camera, are almost too painful to imagine. Zeus didn’t deserve this. He was more than just a tiger—he was deeply loved, his life mattered, and the people who truly knew him fought for him. What happened to him is beyond inexcusable—it’s unforgivable.
https://www.change.org/JusticeForZeusTheTiger
Irina's Story
Irina Barrett began her legal battle in January 2020 when law enforcement raided and ransacked her home in Fauquier County, Virginia. Two different Judges later ruled on two separate occasions that the raid of her home was unconstitutional. The Commonwealth appealed the rulings and Irina Barrett's five day trial was held in November 2023. Upon her acquittal of the felonies and conviction of the misdemeanors, Jason Miyares put out a press release and repeated the same lies of his Animal Law Unit even though Irina was acquitted for her dog, Yeva.
Irina's case shows the lengths the Commonwealth is willing to go to convict and imprison an innocent person. It reveals the depths of the State's bad actors who will do almost anything to lie and conceal the truth.
To put it simply, Irina was framed.
Irina's case shows the lengths the Commonwealth is willing to go to convict and imprison an innocent person. It reveals the depths of the State's bad actors who will do almost anything to lie and conceal the truth.
To put it simply, Irina was framed.
The vet clinic where she took Yeva could have been sued for malpractice. But when the preliminary necropsy from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services revealed the mistakes of the veterinarian in leaving an object INSIDE of Yeva, a full necropsy was never performed and her body was destroyed!
In obtaining the search warrant for the raid, Sgt. Aaron Vescovi testified in front of the Magistrate citing the necropsy. All of the prosecutors involved in Irina's case were aware of the necropsy and cited it as well. There was at least one conversation between Aaron Vescovi and Dr. Weisman (the pathologist at VDACS) that was mentioned in various briefs. The defense was never made aware of what Dr. Weisman communicated to Aaron Vescovi. The only time the defense was able to find out this critical information was when Dr. Weisman testified in court. On March 10, 2020 a subpoena was issued to Scott Hook to produce all kinds of records and notes pertaining to Yeva. THE PRELIMINARY NECROPSY WAS NOT SHARED WITH THE DEFENSE AT THIS TIME. The first time Irina and her attorney found out about Yeva’s botched surgery and her death being a result of veterinary malpractice was only weeks before the criminal trial--three and a half years into the case!
The preliminary necropsy PROVED Irina was innocent. If the Judges had had this information themselves, there is a good chance this case would have abruptly come to an end. But the Commonwealth hid the truth and it would have remained that way if Irina had taken a deal.
In obtaining the search warrant for the raid, Sgt. Aaron Vescovi testified in front of the Magistrate citing the necropsy. All of the prosecutors involved in Irina's case were aware of the necropsy and cited it as well. There was at least one conversation between Aaron Vescovi and Dr. Weisman (the pathologist at VDACS) that was mentioned in various briefs. The defense was never made aware of what Dr. Weisman communicated to Aaron Vescovi. The only time the defense was able to find out this critical information was when Dr. Weisman testified in court. On March 10, 2020 a subpoena was issued to Scott Hook to produce all kinds of records and notes pertaining to Yeva. THE PRELIMINARY NECROPSY WAS NOT SHARED WITH THE DEFENSE AT THIS TIME. The first time Irina and her attorney found out about Yeva’s botched surgery and her death being a result of veterinary malpractice was only weeks before the criminal trial--three and a half years into the case!
The preliminary necropsy PROVED Irina was innocent. If the Judges had had this information themselves, there is a good chance this case would have abruptly come to an end. But the Commonwealth hid the truth and it would have remained that way if Irina had taken a deal.
Irina is one of the latest victims of the Animal Law Unit, but she is not alone. Many animal owners throughout the state can tell horror stories of how their rights have been trampled and their lives ripped apart. Animals have been abused and needlessly euthanized (at the hands of the State), children have been traumatized, and adults with years of animal experience are suddenly being treated as hardened criminals. There is also a pattern of harassment where certain citizens are attacked again and again. Please stand with the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance in demanding justice. We cannot stay silent while those in power abuse their authority. Tell Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares that the Animal Law Unit must be held accountable--they are not above the law.
Najeh's Story
Najeh Abedeljalil and his family have been a target of anti-ownership groups for years. His pet store was raided by Investigator Amy Taylor of Virginia's Animal Law Unit in October 2020. Michelle Welch prosecuted him and both Amy Taylor and Dr. Ernesto Dominguez testified against him in the State's effort to strip him of his business and his freedom.
One of the puppies that was seized was electrocuted while in the home of former Halifax Animal Control Officer Laura Midkiff. Can you imagine how the Animal Law Unit would have treated Najeh if they had discovered an electrocuted puppy in his pet store? Instead of facing charges, Laura was later awarded Animal Control Officer of the Year.
Najeh is proof that once the State begins to pursue you over your animals, they are often relentless. A couple of months before his pet store trial, Najeh's HOME was raided by Halifax Animal Control, State Police, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. His wife quickly called and alerted him. Najeh arrived home to find law enforcement vehicles surrounding his house. Inside, the officers were pilfering through their master bedroom. Najeh was beyond outraged. Officers eventually detained him, because he was angry.
Law enforcement ultimately seized his 15 sheep and took every phone, laptop, and iPad they could find.
Najeh and his family raised the sheep for food and prepared them in accordance with halal. None of this mattered. Michelle Welch prosecuted him to the full extent of the law. His trial was held on December 19, 2023. If convicted of all 15 misdemeanors (one for each sheep) he potentially faced up to 15 years in jail.
One of the puppies that was seized was electrocuted while in the home of former Halifax Animal Control Officer Laura Midkiff. Can you imagine how the Animal Law Unit would have treated Najeh if they had discovered an electrocuted puppy in his pet store? Instead of facing charges, Laura was later awarded Animal Control Officer of the Year.
Najeh is proof that once the State begins to pursue you over your animals, they are often relentless. A couple of months before his pet store trial, Najeh's HOME was raided by Halifax Animal Control, State Police, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. His wife quickly called and alerted him. Najeh arrived home to find law enforcement vehicles surrounding his house. Inside, the officers were pilfering through their master bedroom. Najeh was beyond outraged. Officers eventually detained him, because he was angry.
Law enforcement ultimately seized his 15 sheep and took every phone, laptop, and iPad they could find.
Najeh and his family raised the sheep for food and prepared them in accordance with halal. None of this mattered. Michelle Welch prosecuted him to the full extent of the law. His trial was held on December 19, 2023. If convicted of all 15 misdemeanors (one for each sheep) he potentially faced up to 15 years in jail.
Michelle had woven a tale for the jury. She said it was a pretty simple case. She and her witnesses claimed the sheep didn't have the right body scores. There were weeds in the field. The hay wasn't adequate. The water wasn't clean enough.
But the defense attorney also told a story to the jury--a story of gross abuse of power. He talked about the "script words" the jury had heard repeatedly from the Commonwealth. He detailed the exaggeration and the attempt to "blow past details and facts."
In the end, it was up to those seven individuals. It was an excruciating wait while they deliberated. What kind of animal experience did they have? What were their perceptions of the facts and the way they were presented?
When the jury returned, they found Najah INNOCENT of one count after another. In the end, he was cleared ON ALL 13 COUNTS!!!!!!
It was a triumphant moment for a family that has been put through absolute hell.
It was a tremendous loss to Michelle Welch and her Animal Law Unit.
Virginians must wake up to the horrors of what is happening to their friends and neighbors. These frivolous and malicious prosecutions of innocent animal owners must end.
Now.
But the defense attorney also told a story to the jury--a story of gross abuse of power. He talked about the "script words" the jury had heard repeatedly from the Commonwealth. He detailed the exaggeration and the attempt to "blow past details and facts."
In the end, it was up to those seven individuals. It was an excruciating wait while they deliberated. What kind of animal experience did they have? What were their perceptions of the facts and the way they were presented?
When the jury returned, they found Najah INNOCENT of one count after another. In the end, he was cleared ON ALL 13 COUNTS!!!!!!
It was a triumphant moment for a family that has been put through absolute hell.
It was a tremendous loss to Michelle Welch and her Animal Law Unit.
Virginians must wake up to the horrors of what is happening to their friends and neighbors. These frivolous and malicious prosecutions of innocent animal owners must end.
Now.
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Contact Us: Virginia Animal Owners Alliance virginiaanimalownersalliance@gmail.com |