Chiropractor Convicted of Two Felonies for Killing Dog With Arrows

On Wednesday, January 27,, in West Virginia, a Fauquier County jury convicted a local chiropractor, Van Nostrand, of two class six felonies for the October 4, 2014 killing of Morgan, a German Shepherd, while Van Nostrand and his hunting party were bow hunting.

The charges brought against Van Nostrand were 1) cruelty or torture to a companion animal resulting in death and 2) intentionally damaging personal property worth more than $1,000 (a legal status abhorrent to true guardians). To this charge, Morgan’s guardian, Craig LeValley, commented that Morgan was irreplaceable to him and that her death left an empty hole in his soul.

From the start, Van Nostrand admitted to shooting two arrows and killing Craig and Karen LeValley’s dog from a tree stand, but claimed he acted in self defense. However, one of his hunting partners testified that Van Nostrand had earlier instructed the group of hunters to shoot any dogs that would interfere with their hunt. Van Nostrand later confirmed his intent with a text message when his partner texted him after spotting two dogs chasing a deer nearby. In essence, Morgan was killed while legally playing in the woods near her home because she might interfere with a hunt.

The jury deliberated just 30 minutes before returning two guilty verdicts against Van Nostrand and seeking sentencing of 90 days in jail, a $2,500 fine for the cruelty charge, and a $2,500 fine for the destruction of property charge. Van Nostrand’s bond was revoked and he was taken into custody by the bailiff.

Van Nostrand lamented that the incident had cost him his licensing as a physical therapist and practicing chiropractor. Mr. LeValley simply stated that at least Morgan had gotten her justice.

In Defense of Animals and its Justice for Animas Campaign points to this case as an example, not just for the justice served, but for the fact that at least the charges were felonies. However, it’s IDA’s and IDA-JAC’s mission to not only see true justice in sentencing, but to make sure that animals are given legal status as sentient, intelligent individuals who deserve the protection of the law not because they are “property,” but because a civilized society recognizes their needs and the suffering they endure when they are cruelly neglected or physically abused.

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