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Updated: July 5, 2007
The links included on this page will bring you the 127th Ohio General Assembly web page. This seesion will cover legislation from January 8, 2007 to December 31, 2008. At this location you can view bills as well as a bill analysis and current status. Also provided is a link to find your Ohio Senator or Representative. So you know who to contact about supporting or not supporting the bill. Please use this page to help pass legislation which will HELP animals in Ohio.
In 2007 we hope that to pass two bills which will address puppy mills and exotic animal ownership. We will let now when the bills are introduced and what you can to help with their passage.
A click on the bill number will bring up the bill for you to read.
Welcome to the web site of the 127th Ohio General Assembly
H.B. 22 - To amend sections 959.99 and 2152.19 of the Revised Code to increase certain penalties for cruelty to animals and to require a child under fifteen years of age who commits cruelty against a companion animal to undergo psychological counseling.
Whoever violates division (A) of section 959.13 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense and a felony of the fifth degree on each subsequent offense. ***the change is adding the penalty for the second offense.
(E)(1) Whoever violates division (B) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the third degree on each subsequent offense.*** the change is making the violation a felony and a third degree felony on the subsequent offense.
Introduced by Brian G. Williams (D) District 41- Akron and assigned to the
Criminal Justice committee 2/20/07.
The first hearing will be 3/15/07 - 11:00 a.m. Rm 121
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H.B. 45
- To enact sections 1534.01 to 1534.14 and 1534.99 of the Revised Code to require
persons who possess dangerous wild animals or exotic animals to obtain a personal
possession permit and to establish requirements regarding the possession and
care of dangerous wild animals and exotic animals.
Introduced by L. George Distel (D) District 99 -Conneaut and assigned to the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee 2/20/07.
No hearing is scheduled for this week - 3/11/07. Will begin checking every
week.
We fully support this bill which was introduced as HB643 in the last session.
A Columbus Dispatch editorials stated. "Ohio needs a law that would keep
close track of exotic pets within the state by requiring owners to obtain permits
after demonstrating that they can provide proper care and containment of the
animals."
Exotic
threats - Attacks show why Ohio should keep close tabs on owners of wild animals
- Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Another Dispatch editorial from April 11, 2007 reads, "In general, wild
animals belong in the wild and should be left alone. But, as long as some people
are determined to try to bring a piece of primal nature into their homes, the
state should know who owns these species and should have laws protecting the
safety of the animals and their owners' neighbors."
Wild-animal
auctions reflect state's lax regulation of trade
Representative G. Distel presented sponsor testimony (click to read) last Wednesday, April 18th. 2007.
Contact your Representative and urge them to support this bill. Here is the link to members of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Wednesday, April 25th will be proponent testimony on the bill at 8:30am in
Room 116.
The April 25th hearing did not take place and the bill is being amendmented by the sponsor. As of June 3rd, no further action has been scheduled.
From WCPO in Cincinnati the following story was logged, 5/24/07 - Special
Investigation: Dangerous Exotic Animals As Pets In Ohio
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Dog Breeding and Kennels
HB223 To amend sections 955.02, 955.10, 955.12, 955.20, 955.26, and 1901.183 and to enact sections 956.01 to 956.19, 956.98, and 956.99 of the Revised Code to establish licensing requirements and standards of care for certain dog breeding kennels and dog intermediaries.
Introduced by Jim Hughes (R) 22nd District and assigned to the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee, 5/17/07.
Sponsor testimony took place May 30th.
SB173 - same language as HB223
Introduced by Gary Gates (R) 4th District and assigned to the State and Local Government committee, 5/17/07
From CBS News, June 3rd, Lawmakers Across The Nation Consider Laws To Crack Down On 'Puppy Mills'
Laws that would tighten the regulation of retail pet shops are pending in Oregon, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and bills establishing standards for breeding operations were introduced in Minnesota and Ohio.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 17, 2007
CATES, HUGHES AND HAGAN UNVEIL PUPPY MILL LEGISLATION
Sen. Cates (left) joined Rep. Hughes at a press conference this morning to announce the introduction of SB 173 and HB 223. COLUMBUS—Seeking to protect Ohio’s dogs from horrible abuse at the hands of irresponsible breeders who operate puppy mills, State Senator Gary Cates, along with State Representative Jim Hughes (R-Clintonville) and State Representative Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown), today unveiled legislation, Senate Bill 173 and House Bill 223, that will adopt safeguards and enforcement procedures to ensure dogs used primarily for breeding purposes are not mistreated.
Sen. Cates and Rep. Hughes held a Statehouse press conference today to discuss their bills, which would require the Ohio Department of Agriculture to create a state level commercial dog kennel control authority, responsible for licensing kennels and setting a standard of care for these dogs, as well as inspecting and enforcing the laws and rules regarding the standard of care in commercial kennels around the state.
Cates explained that these mass-breeding facilities provide minimal or no veterinary care for their dogs. Not to mention, they are left in overcrowded, filthy cages and are forced to breed until they are too old or too ill. “After rescuing my own dog, Pretty Girl, from a puppy mill, I saw firsthand the horrible conditions these dogs are forced to live in,” Cates said. “While Ohio already has animal cruelty laws in place, there are very few people to enforce them, leaving the door open for puppy mill operators to continue neglecting and harming these dogs. It is my hope that this bill will protect other dogs like Pretty Girl who must wait for a loving family to come rescue them.”
The bill will also set some standards for kennels, including the size and conditions of the cages in which the dogs are kept. In addition, the proposal creates guidelines for socializing, providing veterinary care and proper grooming of dogs being kept at licensed commercial kennels that house 9 or more dogs.
“Puppy mills often possess unsafe and unsanitary conditions, putting the dogs and their puppies at risk,” Hughes said. “This legislation will help protect a! nimals f rom abuse and ensure that breeders are caring for their dogs in a responsible manner.”
“There are some bad actors in the dog-breeding business. This legislation will crack down on irresponsible breeders that treat their animals as a simple means to an end. Like everyone else, I am absolutely sickened when I see news reports detailing the despicable and wretched conditions “puppy-mill” dogs are forced to exist in,” said Hagan. “Hopefully, the threat of substantial fines and a jail time will drive these bad actors out of the dog-breeding business.”
For more information please contact Andy Shifflette in Sen. Cates’ Office
at (614) 466-8072, Sarah Williams in Rep. Hughes’ Office at (614) 466-2473,
or Gregg Paul in Rep. Hagan’s Office at (614) 466-9435.
Hearing schedules
Check out this link to view meeting schedules.
The House and Senate are out of session until September 2007.
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Updated: July 5, 2007