As you may know from several recent high-profile cruelty-to-animals cases that have made headlines in Ohio, abuse and neglect of a companion animal is often only punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor. Consequently, many animal abusers in Ohio get off with a mere slap on the wrist and go right back to hurting animals. The connection between animal abuse and violent crime is indisputable. But new legislation to help crack down on these cases has been introduced in the Ohio State Legislature and needs your support!
The proposed bill (H.B. 70) has stalled in the Criminal Justice Committee of the House of Representatives, and legislators need to hear from you in order to help push it along. This bill would amend R.C. 959.99(E)(2) and (3), which specify penalties for cruelty-to-animals convictions, by raising the class of the crime from a second-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony. The full bill may be read here.
Please contact your local representative and politely urge him or her to support H.B. 70 and help put a stop to cruelty-to-animals across Ohio.
