A Virginia Senate bill that would limit the use of—and eventually phase out—the controversial practice of fox-penning has cleared another legislative hurdle.
The bill, which is now a compromise version, would allow the state's 36 pens to remain open for 40 years but ban the creation of new ones.
The measure would also cap the number of penned foxes statewide to 900—down from an average of 1200.
For those unfamiliar with the practice, trapped foxes are placed in large acre, fenced-in preserves, where dogs are allowed to chase them.
The bill passed the House by an 84-14 margin and now goes back to the Senate for a final vote on the House compromise.
