“Greta’s Law” Will Require Breeders to Track Dogs and Cats Sold for Testing

Informally dubbed “Greta’s Law” after Delegate Fowler’s elderly beagle, the bill will require that these breeders report certain information to the State Veterinarian on a monthly basis, including the birth, acquisition, death or sale of a dog or cat in the prior month.

The Washington Post reported in December that a federal inspection had found filthy conditions and incomplete records on the deaths of the dogs, including 300 puppies who had died of “unknown causes” in a seven-month period. The inspection also found animals with fight wounds, eye conditions, severe dental disease and inflamed paws. Food was withheld for 42 hours from roughly a dozen dogs who were nursing 78 puppies.

The Post reported that a separate undercover investigation by PETA found “workers with no veterinary credentials sticking needles into puppies’ heads to drain hematomas without any pain relief for the animal, and cases in which puppies fell through holes in the cages and ended up in drains, soaked with water, feces and other waste.”

“Envigo has skirted accountability and their beagles continue to suffer for it,” said Delegate Kory. “We need data to understand the true extent of what is happening to these beagles, who are enduring deplorable conditions in Cumberland before being sold into animal testing because they are so good-natured. Something is horribly wrong when hundreds of sweet beagle puppies are dying of unknown causes. This industry needs reform, and reform starts with fully understanding the extent of the problem.”

“My girl Greta has hunted with me for the past 12 years,” said Delegate Fowler. “If she had been born at Envigo, she never would have known the joy of running through the woods or meeting new friends at the General Assembly. I am honored to be partnering with Delegate Kory in our effort to provide some accountability over breeders who sell their dogs and cats for animal testing.”>

Delegate Kory is a longtime animal advocate who made a pledge to her late rescue dog Ben to create a more humane Virginia for animals. She founded the Animal Welfare Caucus in 2018 and has been recognized by organizations like PETA and the Humane Society for her sustained efforts to end animal cruelty in the Commonwealth. Her bill to ban the animal testing of cosmetics in Virginia took effect January 1.

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Delegate Kaye Kory represents the 38th District in the House of Delegates. She is the Chair of the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, the Animal Welfare Caucus, the Joint Women’s Health Care Caucus, and the Disability Commission. Her legislative focus has largely centered on education, women’s issues, and animal rights. Prior to her election to the General Assembly, Delegate Kory served for a decade on the Fairfax County School Board. She and her husband Ross have three grown children and have lived in Fairfax County for 35 years.

Delegate Fowler has represented House District 55 since 2014. He is Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, and also serves on General Laws and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources. Buddy also serves on the Board of the Virginia War Memorial, the Virginia Board of Veterans Services, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board, the Joint Sub-committee on Block Grants, the History of Enslaved African Americans in Virginia, the Volunteer Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers’ Service Program (VOLSAP).

Buddy worked primarily in the private sector and was also a small business owner before coming to the Virginia General Assembly as an aide to former Delegates Frank Hargrove and John Cox.

A lifelong resident of Virginia, Buddy and his wife, Patsy, reside in Hanover County where they raised their three children. He is a member of and has served on the Diaconate at Slash Christian Church. Buddy is an active member of the Clay Springs Ruritan Club. Buddy is an active outdoor enthusiast and enjoys fishing and hunting and is a member of numerous outdoor organizations including Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Virginia Hunting Dog Owner’s Association, and the Slate River Bird Dog Club. Buddy is also involved and supports numerous historical organizations including the Hanover Historical Society.