Victoria Shade, Democratic challenger for Goshen Town Board

Victoria Shade is the Democratic candidate for the Goshen Town Board. As a local attorney, animal rights activist, and new mom, she’s a busy, accomplished woman.

Her latest interest as an animal activist resulted from an incident with her own dog, Daisy, a rescue Boxer. Daisy was out in the yard when she was severely maimed by a landscaper on a lawn mower. Shade represented herself in court and knew then that she had to help other animals. Now well versed in New York State’s Agriculture and Markets Law, she’s fully equipped to represent animal abuse cases.

“The New York Ag & Markets Law is a separate body of law from New York’s Penal Code,” said Shade. “I’m looking to be a pioneer in the area of animal cruelty cases. I’m hoping that people in the area appreciate this.”

As a long-time horse owner, her love of animals goes deep.

“Although I’m from Queens, I’m a farm girl at heart," she said. "I now have my farm with my dogs, horses and cats.”

Shade sits on the Hudson Valley ASPCA in New Windsor. “They need help in raising funds, and I’m motivated with my ideas and energy to bring the ASPCA back to its former glory," she said.

Putting her energy to work locally, she addressed the Orange County Legislature to push “Rocky’s Law” — named after a severely abused dog — that was passed without one dissenting vote.

“I enjoyed getting that passed,” she said, explaining that now there’s an animal registry to restrict anyone accused of animal cruelty from purchasing an animal for 15 years.

Shade is also on the Working Families ballot line, sits on the NYS Bar Association Animal Law Committee, and endorsed by the Hudson Catskill Central Labor Council.

Wanting to bring a fresh perspective to the Town of Goshen, Shade is hoping to improve the town’s infrastructure, improve tourism in the area, and to ensure better outcomes when there is a local fire, implement at least one full-time employee in the fire department. “There’s a clear need for a permanent employee to be reached in case of fire and to direct volunteers,” she said.

Shade is a graduate of Hofstra Law School, J.D. and New York University, B.A. with a major in Political science and minor in philosophy.