Is it too much to expect that there be appropriate, meaningful sanctions for vicious cruelty violations? Certainly not! Shamefully, legislation that would toughen anti-cruelty laws in Ohio has historically been ignored or even obstructed.
First the success story! SB 177, Domestic Violence and Pet Protection Orders, sponsored by Ohio Sen. Michael Skindell, passed the Ohio House and Senate on Dec. 9. If Gov. Kasich signs it into law, judges can include companion animals in domestic violence protection orders and pets may leave a violent home together with human victims. Please place a polite call to Governor Kasich at (614) 466-3555 and ask him to sign S.B. 177 into law.
Several other companion animal bills are stalled in our state capital. They are in danger of timing-out without legislative action after repeated failures to act on them.
Animal protection laws face opposition from agricultural lobbyists who work to prevent laws that might lead to increased regulation in the treatment of farmed animals. To address this resistance, Rep. Bill Patmon, D-Cleveland who co-sponsored HB 274, “Goddard’s Law,” Felony for Animal Cruelty, said “We want the firewall between agriculture and urban areas to be secure.” Even so, his important bill is stuck in the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee since February 2014!
HB 243, Psychological Evaluation of Youngsters Convicted of Animal Cruelty would mandate that delinquent minors who torture and kill animals would be evaluated and treated, prohibiting them from committing more violence in our neighborhoods. This bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB 57, Humane Officer Training, would require training before a county humane agent is appointed. They work in dangerous conditions with little pay and they deserve our support as they serve our communities. HB 57 passed the House in 2013 and is in the Senate Agriculture Committee since June 2013.
HB 251, Flexible Sentencing for Judges, will restore provisions to allow prison sentences for felony animal abusers, thereby protecting the public and acting as a deterrent. HB 251 passed the House Judiciary Committee in March 2013.
HB 310, PTSD Merits Service Animals would help our veterans who struggle with PTSD. HB 310 passed the House in January 2014 and has been stalled in the Senate State Government Oversight and Reform Committee ever since.
SB 217, Veterinary Hospital Inspections. Currently in Ohio, there are no unannounced inspections by the Board of Health or Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing. Quality control regulation measures are needed to ensure sound medical care for the health and well-being of our pets. SB 217 has been in the Senate Agriculture Committee since October 29, 2013.
The passage of these humane bills would result in safer communities. Each Ohio voter has one state senator and one state representative. Let your lawmakers know that as their constituents we will no longer sit idly by as they do nothing to help us protect our loved ones.
For more information, please visit Ohio Voters for Companion Animals http://ohiovotersforcompanionanimals.com/
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