Ohio House Passes Legislation Addressing Cruelty Toward Animals
The Ohio House of Representatives passed Substitute House Bill 274, legislation that addresses violence and cruelty to companion animals.
Specifically, Sub. H.B. 274:
• Prohibits any person from knowingly causing "serious physical harm" to a companion animal.
• Enhances the penalty for knowingly depriving a companion animal of food and water if that depravation proximately causes the death of the companion animal.
• Prohibits any person who confines or is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal from negligently torturing, tormenting, or committing an act of cruelty against the companion animal.
• Prohibits an owner, manager, or employee of a dog kennel who confines or is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal from negligently torturing, tormenting, or committing an act of cruelty against the companion animal.
“House Bill 274 provides meaningful deterrence against the abuse of defenseless animals and is a major step toward Ohio’s recognition of the correlation between animal abuse and human violence,” said State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Township), who jointly sponsored Sub. H.B. 274 with State Representative Bill Patmon (D-Cleveland).
“This is a significant step in making Ohio pet friendly,” said Representative Patmon.
Sub. H.B. 274 passed with strong bipartisan support will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.