Law Enforcement

Sheriff Roger Harris and his Spotsylvania Animal Control Unit

Sheriff Harris is a model for a Law Enforcement Executive, and he has built an incredible animal control unit. His Unit is among the most respected in Virginia and he has given them the resources and the support to their job in bringing animal abusers to justice. However, he goes above and beyond for the rest of the LEO units in Virginia. He has provided resources to dozens of localities and allowed his officers to assist in complex investigations into animal fighting, large scale animal abuse cases involving hoarders and horse abusers. His officers are the founding members of the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce, which has become one of the most respected institutions in Virginia, assisting over 100 animal fighting and animal abuse cases/investigations throughout the state. Sheriff Harris is the personification of Leadership in animal crime and beyond.

Fairfax Animal Protection Police Unit

The Animal Protection Police Officers of Fairfax County are fully sworn law enforcement officers who also carry the full authority of an Animal Control Officer.  Each year, APPOs handle over 17,000 calls for service. Cases including animal cruelty, bite investigations, rescuing wildlife, corralling escaped livestock, and capturing rabid animals are all handled with a balance of compassion and enforcement.  The training and expertise of these officers extends beyond the borders of Fairfax County to their work with the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce, and even across the ocean to Greece, where they partnered with the Pan-Hellenic Animal Welfare Federation to train Greek Police Officers and Prosecutors on animal abuse crimes and the link between family violence and animal abuse.  These dedicated and highly trained officers do exactly what their name implies, and they make a difference each day. 

Sheriff Lenny Millholland

Sheriff Millholland has been instrumental in many animal criminal cases in his jurisdiction over the years. He has never hesitated to enforce the animal abuse laws and his animal control Unit has done amazing investigations into cockfighting, and large-scale animal neglect cases. The Sheriff stands out because he goes out of his way to be a leader on this issue. In fact, this past General Assembly session when a bill was progressing through the General Assembly which would have rolled back animal protection in Virginia, he did not hesitate and called Senators to alert them to misrepresentations that the proponents were stating. He never fails to step up and aid prosecutors on these animal abuse cases. 

Sgt. Shawn McCurry and Special Agent Joe Williams, Virginia State Police

Sgt McCurry and Special Agent Williams exemplify what the Virginia State Police stand for: integrity and professionalism. Both men have aided the Animal Law Unit of the Virginia AG’s Office repeatedly. They have helped on large scale animal abuse cases and animal fighting cases. They never fail to bring their vast experience and talents to animal abuse cases. They treat these cases as they do any other crime they are investigating and bring excellence in their work.

Captain William R. Tydings-Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office

Captain Tydings has not only made his Animal Control Unit one of the best in Virginia, but he has saved countless animals from abuse over his long career. That would be enough for one person to do, but he has time and time again stepped forward to lead. He is the current President of the Virginia Animal Control Association and has served with distinction, and innovation in that role where he assists Animal Control Officers all over the state. He is a founding member of the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce and is a longtime Board member and the current President of the Taskforce. The Taskforce was created before the Michael Vick case and has been assisting law enforcement on animal fighting cases for over 18 years. He has led in these roles and has served Virginia well.

Senior Deputy Richard Samuels-Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Samuels has served a long and storied career in Animal Control Law Enforcement. He has investigated 1000s of animal abuse and animal fighting cases in his county and throughout Virginia. He has been recognized as an expert in animal fighting in Virginia and throughout the United States. His career has been amazing, but he did not stop there. He was inspired to create the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce and recruited others to be founding members of the Taskforce. The Taskforce has assisted in every significant animal fighting case in Virginia for over 18 years. He is also a member of the Virginia Animal Control Association board and sets the example for Professional Animal Control.

Sgt. Christine Boczar-Powhatan Sheriff’s Office

Sgt. Boczar has led by example in her county by enforcing all animal abuse and fighting laws. She also has an incredible adoption rate out of her public Animal Shelter. She has investigated 100s of cases of animal abuse and has brought animal abusers to justice. She has made a difference in the lives of animals in her county. But she also never fails to answer the call of the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce and has assisted search and seizures, helping thousands of animals all over Virginia.

Chief Alyssa Ellison-Louisa Sheriff’s Office 

Chief Ellison is a ball of energy, always jumping in to save animals in her locality and beyond. She has brought 100s of animal abusers to justice over her long career and she has never failed to answer the call from the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce. She will be covered in dirt and grime and still smile and find energy to rescue more animals. She is an incredible asset to her department and to Virginia as a whole.