Compassion in Legislation

Virginia State Sen. David W. Marsden (D-37) took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions from the Animal Legal Defense Fund George Mason University Law School (GMU) Student Chapter about his animal protection efforts in the Virginia Senate.

As a champion for animals throughout Virginia, Sen. Marsden responded to student efforts to end bull riding on GMU’s campus and his work to expose and stop abuse at the controversial company Envigo, which bred beagles for research. Sen. Marsden chairs the Companion Animals Subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, and believes that the way people take care of animals in their care is a measure of our progress as a society. We greatly appreciate his advocacy in the state senate — and his taking the time to tell us about it.

Q: Sen. Marsden, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to talk with us! We are so fortunate to have you as a champion for animals in the Virginia Senate. Can you describe the challenges you face, specifically with the rural-urban split in Virginia politics, and what guidance can you give to your constituents and fellow animal advocates to help you with the passage of pro-animal bills in the state?

A: The concern from rural Virginians is that standards for treatment of companion animals, which are significantly more stringent, will begin to migrate into the regulations that prescribe the care for farm animals, which is significantly less stringent.

Q: As you know, our George Mason University (GMU) student chapter of the Animal Legal Defense Fund has been working to convince our university to stop hosting the inhumane Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event on campus at the EagleBank Arena. This event has become especially controversial and contentious following an incident last year at GMU where a bull was fatally injured when he fell, suffered a severely broken leg, struggled in vain, and finally collapsed and was dragged out of the arena in front of shocked spectators. Thank you for intervening on behalf of these animals and contacting the President’s office directly. What did you find out?

A: They were aware of the public sentiment, however, they felt obligated to complete their contractual obligations for the leasing of EagleBank Arena to a commercial production company. It is my understanding that this will be the last year where such an event will be scheduled.

Q: From your conversations, do you have the assurance that, after the scheduled PBR visit this September, that GMU is committed to severing ties and never allowing the Professional Bull Riders back on campus?

A: Yes, that is my understanding.

Q: Senator, after USDA audits and an undercover investigation revealed horrific cruelty at Envigo, a Virginia-based beagle breeding facility for research, the lab was shuttered, and the Department of Justice secured the surrender of over 4,000 dogs to rescue. Your response was to go to the lab and see for yourself what was going on. When you got our email about rodeo abuse at GMU, you immediately picked up the phone and called the GMU President’s office. How has this hands-on approach to animal protection served you in your role as a Virginia legislator?

A: As chairman of the Companion Animals Subcommittee, I feel that it is my responsibility to lead on all new reports of abuse being brought to my attention. It is always easier to solve problems without legislation.

Q: Sen. Marsden, your efforts for animals are notable and numerous — from supporting more transparency in animal testing to efforts to improve access to [companion-animal-friendly] housing, you have done so much to advance animal protection in the General Assembly. What are your thoughts on the proposed ban on cat declawing that was introduced in the House of Delegates last session?

A: While I understand the potential damage to furnishings and personal property, my preferred alternative would be for someone not to own a cat, rather than to declaw it and leave it open to being defenseless, and of course, to suffer the pain that declawing entails.

Q: What recent legislative accomplishments are you most proud of and what are you excited to take on in the next session regarding animal protection or otherwise?

A: The most recent legislative effort I am pleased with is the budget amendment creating an ombudsman to oversee Virginia’s correctional facilities. At this time, I am not in the process of developing new legislation, however, I am tracking the completion of regulations for the care of companion animals in pet stores that are on schedule to be approved this December.