In 2011, there was a news story about Jeffrey Nally Jr., a young man from New Cumberland, West Virginia, who’d been arrested for obtaining dogs from “Free to Good Home” ads and then torturing the animals to death. Many of the victims were puppies. When police were tipped off, they found the remains of 29 dogs and a cat on his property, as well as an eyewitness, because he'd been holding his girlfriend captive and terrorizing her.

Fortunately, the prosecutor in the case, Jim Davis, is a dog lover and really cared. He worked tirelessly to be the voice for Nally’s helpless and innocent victims, and with some help from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, was able to have the man sentenced to 10-45 years in prison. A sentence that’s almost unheard of in animal cruelty cases. That fact didn't get past Nally, who brought an action against Davis and Judge Jason Cuomo, claiming that 'his Equal Protection rights were violated because he received felony counts for animal cruelty.  That others accused of the same crimes have been charged with misdemeanors and/or have received more lenient sentences.'

Nally lost that case, and came up for parole in June of 2021, but that bid for early release was also refused. It's nice to think that the petition, letters, and postcards that advocates sent to the West Virginia Parole Board before his hearing helped them to make this decision.

Nally's crimes may be unique, in that he was a serial offender, consciously and purposefully seeking out one helpless victim after another, and stated that killing the dogs 'made him feel good.'
His reasoning behind his attempted action against the prosecutor and Judge underscore that he has no remorse.

Penalties and laws against animal abuse have been changing in recent years, and for good reason. Psychiatric and humane professionals agree: animal abusers are five times more likely to move on to commit other violent crimes like assault and murder. In Jeff Nally’s case, he had already served time for domestic assault.

Nally poses a danger to others and he should remain behind bars to serve his entire sentence. Now that he's been passed over for parole once, he will be reviewed every two to ten months for the remainder of his sentence. His next hearing is in November of this year -- only a month away!

Advocates need to keep the pressure on. That’s why this is a CALL TO ACTION. Here's how you can help:

• Sign the petition on Change.org and then share it via your social media.

• Write a letter to the WV  Division of Corrections parole board asking them to deny Jeffrey Nally early parole. You should address your letter to “Honorable Members of the Parole Board“. Tell them you’d like for them to deny parole for Jeffrey A. Nally, Offender #3507601. He is currently being held at McDowell County Correctional Facility.

Ask that Nally  be given a “set-off” and be required to serve his full sentence. Tell the parole board why you think Nally is a danger to society, and how you feel about his cruel crimes. Sign your letter and mail it to:

Parole Board
WV Division of Corrections
1356 Hansford St. Suite B
Charleston, WV 25301

Neither the offender nor his attorney will see your letter — only the parole board. Personal letters carry the most weight with the parole board, but if you need help, there are sample letters you can copy and paste on the Facebook page JUSTICE FOR 29 PUPS.

• If you are an individual or a member of a group who wants postcards to pass out, please send an email to thewoof7@gmail.com with your mailing address and the number of postcards you think you’d be able to get others to sign and mail.

• If you are an official of a rescue or humane group who updates your members with emails or a newsletter, please share this article with your readers.

• Share this article with your contacts on social media.