Target: Scott C. Hook, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fauquier County, Virginia
Goal: Seek firm probation enforcement, full restitution to the Fauquier SPCA, lifetime animal-ownership bans, and strict compliance oversight in a high-profile cruelty case with ongoing legal actions.
Authorities previously seized dozens of dogs in a Broad Run investigation, and a jury later convicted a defendant on 60 counts of animal cruelty. Court orders included supervised probation and $1.5 million restitution to the Fauquier SPCA. According to probation filings, the defendant failed to meet key conditions, including employment and monthly payments, triggering a violation proceeding and renewed court scrutiny. With remaining revocable time measured in decades, consequences now matter for deterrence and public trust.
Rescuers describe long years of care for surviving dogs from the 2020 seizure. Many animals reportedly arrived in poor condition and required ongoing medical and behavioral support. Foster placements continue while legal restrictions limit adoption for some dogs, which shifts heavy financial burdens onto a nonprofit that stepped in when the crisis broke. Each delay compounds housing and veterinary costs and risks further attrition among aging animals that should rest in permanent homes.
Accountability should match the scale of harm recognized by the court. A strong response to alleged probation violations reinforces that sentencing terms are not suggestions. Sign below to demand authorities enforce restitution, secure lifetime bans on owning or supervising animals and require compliance checks and counseling where appropriate to protect future animals and help stabilize shelter finances. Clear, public updates on outcomes and restitution progress can also renew community confidence and support for front-line caregivers.
PETITION LETTER:
Commonwealth’s Attorney Hook,
A defendant convicted on 60 animal-cruelty counts in 2023 was ordered to pay substantial restitution to the Fauquier SPCA and to comply with supervised probation. Probation officials now report noncompliance with employment and payment conditions, and the matter has returned to court. Meanwhile, the SPCA continues to shoulder care for dogs tied to the original case, incurring ongoing costs while legal restrictions limit permanent placement.
We respectfully urge your office to pursue firm enforcement of probation conditions, including full and timely restitution, and to request lifetime prohibitions on owning, keeping, breeding, or supervising companion animals. We also ask that you seek unannounced compliance checks and counseling requirements the court deems appropriate, along with transparency measures that report restitution progress and case milestones to the public.
A resolute approach will protect animals, support an overburdened shelter, and reaffirm that court-ordered obligations following a cruelty conviction carry real weight.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: LVelarde (WMF)
