(Richmond)- Animal cruelty may soon be a felony in Virginia as a response to a tragic animal abuse case in Richmond. Just last week, Tommie the pit bull died after someone tied him up at a park, doused him with a flammable liquid and set him on fire. The Virginia legislature passed Tommie’s Law yesterday, which increases penalties for cruelly maiming, mutilating or torturing a dog or cat to a felony. Because Tommie died, his attacker can face felony charges, but if Tommie had survived the vicious attack, it would have only been a misdemeanor. The bill now goes to Governor Northam’s desk.