It's safe to say that a shelter environment is not the ideal living situation for any companion animal. But there are some animals for whom a home environment is absolutely necessary.  Some dogs are so active that being confined to a kennel for long periods can cause their rambunctious behavior to spiral out of control. Anxious dogs can become neurotic, and shy ones can become even more withdrawn and timid. One of the goals for the staff and volunteers of any animal shelter is to make sure that every animal under its care has a fun, enriching daily life filled with lots of exercise, toys, and social interaction. Dogs are taken out of the shelter as much as possible, for adoption events, hikes and trips to nearby parks.

Press release from Chesterfield County

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) - Chesterfield County Police charged two teens at Thomas Dale High School with assault last week following an investigation into an alleged bias-motivated incident. 

Upon further consultation with the Commonwealth's Attorney's office, the simple assault charges have been amended to bias-motivated assault, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction. 

Police received information that a student was assaulted on May 11 by two other students at an after-school activity. The victim reported that the suspects grabbed him and attempted to put a rope around his neck. The victim's parent reported the incident to school officials and police. 

Press release from United States Attorney's Office

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Jennifer Marie Patterson, 33, of Chester, Virginia, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. 

Neil J. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ava Cooper-Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Washington Division Office; and Bryan Norwood, Chief of the Richmond Police Department, made the announcement after the plea was received by United States Magistrate Judge M. Hannah.  Patterson will be formally sentenced on September 9, 2011, by United States District Robert E. Payne.