CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Rescue dogs could soon become West Virginia’s official state dog under a proposal approved Tuesday in the Senate.
The resolution, sponsored by Sens. Ryan Weld and Stephen Baldwin, says it seeks to bring attention to dogs living in the more than 500 animal shelters in the state.
“Just because a dog is at a shelter doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with the dog,” said Weld, a Republican. “That dog needs a second chance and is looking for a new friend, just like you might be.”
The proposal now moves to the House of Delegates.
West Virginia already has a bunch of official state flora and fauna. The black bear is the state animal, the sugar maple is the state tree, the cardinal is the state bird and the rhododendron is the state flower.