Virginia Woman Crowned ‘Wonder Woman’ For Dedicating Career to Seeking Justice for Abused Animals

Michelle Welch is a ‘Wonder Woman’ who works to seek justice for abused and neglected animals and was featured on CBS 6 News recently for her amazing work. Welch is the lead of the Animal Law section at the Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

“We work really hard to make the best cases we can. And we try every day to do justice,” Michelle Welch said. “It is just as important as any other kind of crime.”

Welch says that the Animal Law section is “very groundbreaking,” and it is the first of its kind in the nation. Welch works with her team to prosecute people who abuse or knowingly neglect animals.

“(Animals) are capable of suffering. They do feel pain and they don’t deserve to be abused,” Welch said. “It became clear to me that they needed a real advocate, a prosecutor who was going to do that case really effectively.”

Welch helps animals all over from things like illegal dog and cock fighting operations to hoarders who cannot safety take care of their pets.

Luckily, over the course of her 22 years at the Attorney General’s Office, she has seen a shift in attitudes and laws to protect animals.

“I’m proud to say that things have changed. People take it much more seriously. Judges take it much more seriously than when I first started for sure,” Welch said.

Welch is praised for her work, and the Richmond SPCA CEO Tamsen Kingry even said that they call her Wonder Woman.

“Her name is Michelle Welch but we here at the SPCA we like to call her Wonder Woman,” Kingry said. “She is a warrior when it comes to protecting and defending animals.”

Michelle asks that if you suspect an animal is being abused, please contact your local animal control or police department.

“Oh, we’re the luckiest to have Michelle Welch,” Kingry said. “The animals are lucky to have Michelle Welch in their corner here and in Virginia.”

Animal abuse is more prevalent than many may think. According to PetPedia, every 60 seconds, an animal suffers from abuse, with more than 65 percent being dogs. More than 10 million animals die from abuse every year in the US alone, not including the livestock bred for consumption, who also suffer immense abuse. Animal abuse happens everywhere and is a serious issue. We need more laws to protect animals and hold abusers accountable. Sign this petition to demand all states make all animal abuse a felony now!

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