Protecting animals and working with our community to prevent cruelty is what our dedicated field services team does day in and day out, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We believe that every animal matters—regardless of breed, size, age, or any other factor. Recently, one case surrounding one small reptile proved just that.  

In December, our Animal Care & Control Officers were assisting Metropolitan Police Department Officers with a search warrant at the home of Darnell Jones, 34, in Washington, DC, when they came across a snake. The snake was extremely underweight and appeared to be having difficulty shedding her skin which is indicative of significant husbandry and care issues. The subsequent investigation by Humane Law Enforcement Officer Michael Triebwasser revealed that the snake had been underweight for seven months and had never at any point during that time been taken to a veterinarian for proper care.

From Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department:

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department fire investigators charged an adult female, Thursday, January 12, 2012, with intentionally setting multiple fires in a commercial building in the McLean area of Fairfax County. Fire investigators charged Irma Hernandez, 33, of Arlington, with burning an occupied commercial office building, Virginia Code 18.2-80, a Class 3 felony.   

Hernandez is charged with setting multiple fires in an office building in the 1300 block of Dolly Madison Boulevard over a period of several weeks. The fires were primarily set in mechanical rooms and bathrooms.

Damage totals are estimated at $500.

Hernandez is being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on $10,000 bond.