House Bill 79 was introduced by Representative Barbara Sears of the 46th district. The bill is co-sponsored by Representative Michael Skindell, Representative Gerald Stebelton, and Representative Lynn Wachtmann. The bill would remove the term "pit bull" from Ohio's statutory definition of vicious dog. Ohio is the only state to have enacted statewide breed specific legislation.
Please thank these individuals for recognizing that Ohio's outdated discriminatory law has not improved public safety and has trampled the rights of responsible dog owners all over the state.
Update on April 29, 2009: Sponsor testimony was given today by Representative Barbara Sears to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Thanks to everyone who came to support her! Her testimony was very well written and well received by committee members.
Update on April 8, 2010: Proponent testimony will be heard Wednesday, April 14th, at 9:30am in Statehouse Room 18. Please plan on attending and speaking out for responsible dog owners of all breeds. It's time to end breed discrimination in Ohio.
Update on May 28, 2010: House Bill 79 was added to House Bill 55 and went before the full House for a vote. It was overwhelmingly passed and has moved to the Senate. Thank you to Representatives Szollosi and Sears for making this happen.
House Bill 55
Earlier this year, Ohio Representatives Brian Williams of Summit County and Representative Courtney Eric Combs of Butler County introduced House Bill 55 (OH Rev. Code Sec. 951.13), which was heard and passed by the Ohio House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee on May 12, 2010.
H.B. 55 encourages judges to include companion animals in domestic-violence protection orders and anti-stalking protection orders. H.B. 55 also emphasizes the need to counsel convicted animal abusers and contribute to a safer society by lowering recidivism. This would be accomplished by requiring courts to order psychological evaluation and counseling, if necessary, of minors convicted of animal abuse, and by requiring the state psychology; medicine; and counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist boards to approve at least one continuing-education course on counseling individuals who abuse animals. Lastly, the bill would help ensure that Ohio treats animal cruelty crimes seriously by making additional acts of torture to livestock and wildlife misdemeanors of the first degree (punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine).
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
1. Contact your senator, http://www.ohiosenate.gov/directory.html, and ask him/her to support passage of House Bill 55.Written letters have the most impact. In all correspondence, please be polite and respectful and stick to one or two talking points.
2. Contact the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice Committee Members and ask them to support House Bill 55.
District 14Tom Niehaus (R) President Pro Tempore Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 466-8082 Email: SD14@senate.state.oh.us
