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HSUS >> Animal Cruelty and Fighting >> News and Press

West Virginia State Delegate Receives Humane Legislator Award

November 14, 2007

 
©The HSUS  

(L-R) Miss West Virginia, Summer Wyatt; Del. Overington and The HSUS's Andi Bernat attended the ceremony.

  
The Humane Society of the United States presented West Virginia State Delegate John Overington (R-55) with the Humane State Legislator award on Oct. 22.

The award recognizes legislators who have initiated path-breaking animal protection legislation and advanced reform in the policy-making arena.

Confronting Animal Fighting

Del. Overington was honored for his efforts to increase penalties for cockfighting. Most recently, Overington introduced H.B. 2737, which would strengthen current law by making it a felony to engage in cockfighting.

The bill also would impose felony penalties for: possessing animals for the purpose of fighting; possessing animal fighting implements; and allowing one's premises to be used for animal fighting.

The West Virginia legislature will take up H.B. 2737 when it reconvenes in January 2007.

Partner in Animal Protection

"I am so pleased to receive this award from The Humane Society of the United States for my work to increase penalties for cockfighting," said Delegate John Overington.

"As a longtime supporter of humane treatment of animals, I look forward to working with The HSUS on animal protection legislation in the future. I have enjoyed working in the past to get legislation passed increasing the penalty for animal cruelty, making dogfighting a felony in West Virginia and other legislation protecting animals from needless suffering."

"We are pleased to recognize Delegate Overington's efforts to end the scourge of cockfighting," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS. "Professional animal fighting is an ugly and unacceptable criminal enterprise. It inflicts untold cruelty on animals and is a gateway to other criminal activities."

Community Recognition

Miss West Virginia 2007, Summer Wyatt—whose platform is "Making the Connection—Animal Cruelty and Family Violence"—also attended the award presentation. "As Miss West Virginia, I have dedicated this year to working to improve the lives of animals," commented Wyatt. "Delegate Overington is a real champion for the animals, and I hope to work with him to pass animal-friendly legislation in January."

Delegate Overington is a longtime animal advocate in the West Virginia State Legislature and has sponsored and passed several animal protection bills over the years:

  • 1986—H.B. 1786: Increased the penalties for animal cruelty.

  • 1998—H.B. 2656: Created certification requirements for animal euthanasia technicians.

  • 2003—H.B. 2753: Made dogfighting a felony in West Virginia.

  • 2005—H.B. 2935: Required cross-reporting among child protective service workers, adult protective services workers and humane officers in cases of child or elder abuse and animal cruelty. 
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