Michelle Welch and the Attorney General’s Animal Law Unit  

Michelle is the Director of the Animal Law Unit, and it has three members: Welch, Kelci Block and Amy Taylor. Welch was one of the first Animal Abuse Prosecutors in Virginia and the nation. Under her leadership, this Unit has served Virginia for the past 9 years with distinction. They have brought countless animal abusers and animal fighters to justice, handling complex cases with many animals impacted. The Unit has protected thousands of animals during its existence. To date, the Unit has handled over 2740 matters, which includes advice to law enforcement, trainings (locally, nationally, and internationally), and over 130 special prosecutions on animal abuse cases. This small Unit zealously protects animals and brings abusers to justice. It is the first of its kind in the nation and though small is mighty.

Gillian Deegan-Botetourt County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office

Gill is a Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney who has for decades prosecuted animal abuse cases with integrity and passion. She has brought 100s of abusers to justice and improved the abused anima'ls lives in the process. She created an Animal Abuse docket in Botetourt County’s Courthouse, to get animal abuse cases treated seriously and fairly. She has spoken on animal abuse cases, especially agricultural animal cases all over Virginia and the United States. She is a zealous and tireless advocate, and recently, she has adopted and trained a courthouse dog to help human victims of violence and police officers. This courthouse dog is the first to be adopted from a public shelter. She is always innovative and deserves Virginia’s gratitude.

Mara Kane-Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office

Mara is an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney who has been prosecuting animal abuse cases for many years. She takes these tough cases in addition to her regular workload and has trained other prosecutors in her office to take these cases seriously. From intentional animal abuse cases to gross neglect of dogs, she never backs down and follows the cases to their just conclusions. She has also protected the public by prosecuting dangerous and vicious dog cases for her jurisdiction. She has saved hundreds of animals and brought animal abuse perpetrators to justice zealously. Her passion and her hard work have served her community tremendously.