Virginia Governor's Office Confirms Dead Dog Appeared on Voting Rights Letter

A deceased beagle mix named Biscuit received an official letter from the Virginia governor's office stating that her civil rights had been restored. The document, dated Sept. 23, instructed the recipient in Goochland County that Biscuit Rigsby could now vote, serve on juries, become a notary public, and hold public office. The letter bore the signature of Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Biscuit had been dead for approximately five years.

Del. Tom Garrett, a Republican representing parts of central Virginia, brought the matter to public attention after a constituent shared the correspondence. Garrett has called for an independent investigation into the state's restoration-of-rights process. He questioned how the dog's name appeared on official documents and urged officials to explain the error before the Nov. 3 election.

The dog's owner, who spoke to Fox News and requested anonymity, confirmed the letter was genuine. The owner noted that Biscuit had no prior felony conviction and showed no interest in the political process. "To my knowledge, she was never convicted of a felony, nor did she ever show any interest in voting," the owner said.

Garrett amplified the story on social media, challenging skeptics who questioned the animal's existence. He posted a rabies vaccination certificate to prove the dog was real. He also clarified Biscuit's gender for the record. "She/her. Do not misgender Biscuit," Garrett wrote in one post. In another, he compared the unfolding situation to the mystery genre. "If this were Scooby-Doo, we'd be right before the mask comes off. But we're not there yet," he wrote.

The controversy drew national attention. Sen. Josh Kimbrell, a Republican from South Carolina, commented on the incident on Facebook. "YES THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Virginia extended the right to vote to a dead dog! WOW," he wrote. The governor's office disputes the characterization that a canine received the rights. A spokesperson for Spanberger stated that the administration did not restore the rights of a dog. The official said the record was associated with a person who had a date of birth and a Social Security number.

The administration has not publicly explained why Biscuit's name appeared on the paperwork. The letter did not register anyone to vote, and no evidence indicates a ballot was cast in the dog's name. Virginia voters will decide on Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore certain civil rights to people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentences.