As the world embraces the age of technology, everything is available online----including the sale of pets. Guardians of Rescue, a nationwide animal rescue organization, has stepped up to protect these poor animals from the cruelty of being bought and sold via the Internet. Guardians of Rescue is working with law enforcement in various states to try to reduce the amount of harm inflicted on these innocent dogs.

“Getting a new pet is always a big decision, and buying a dog you haven’t met in person is not smart,” says Dori Scofield, vice-president of Guardians of Rescue, an organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals. “If you buy a dog through the Internet, you risk supporting puppy mill cruelty and being scammed out of your money. The Internet is also used by criminals to buy and sell fighting dogs, using certain understood language.”

If you looking to adopt a new dog, here are five tips to think about before you decide where to buy:

City of Manassas, Va.  is one of 184 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities to earn the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®)1 designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. This is the fifth year that the City of Manassas Public Works/Utilities department has received this designation. The City of Manassas was one of two public utilities in Virginia to be awarded the RP3 in 2013, out of 16 Virginia public power providers. For more information, go to www.manassascity.org or call 703-257-8276.

The chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel presented the designees on April 7 during the association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference held in Oklahoma City, Okla.

CHANTILLY, Va. (WUSA9) -- Thousands of people are killed every year in our country by drivers who are texting.

Police in Virginia are receiving additional training to step up enforcement starting in April which is 'Distracted Driving Awareness' month. Today's class included a heartbreaking story.

A driver who takes his off the road to read an email or text on, will not be able react to what is in the road. Police officers know that well, but this new training program, Fairfax County officers are also hearing from a mother who lost her 24-year-old daughter to a texting driver.

"I can't ever begin to describe the devastating impact that losing Lanie has had on me and her sisters," said Patty Kruszewski, whose youngest daughter Lanie, 24, was riding her bike in Richmond when she was hit by a Dodge Durango.