Update: The following representatives voted NO in Committee: Please e-mail them or call their offices to voice your disappointment.
William Coley 614-466-8550 district55@ohr.state.oh.us
Daniel R. Bubp 614-644-6034 district88@ohr.state.oh.us
W. Scott Oelslager 614-752-2438 district51@ohr.state.oh.us
Todd Snitchler 614-466-9078 district50@ohr.state.oh.us
Joe Uecker 614-466-8134 district66@ohr.state.oh.us
The state of Ohio is only 1 of 5 states where animal cruelty is not considered a felony. In this state, anyone convicted of animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect is slapped with a misdeamenor. This means the guilty party generally serves no jail time and pays a minimal fine, and then is free to do it again.
William Coley 614-466-8550 district55@ohr.state.oh.us
Daniel R. Bubp 614-644-6034 district88@ohr.state.oh.us
W. Scott Oelslager 614-752-2438 district51@ohr.state.oh.us
Todd Snitchler 614-466-9078 district50@ohr.state.oh.us
Joe Uecker 614-466-8134 district66@ohr.state.oh.us
The state of Ohio is only 1 of 5 states where animal cruelty is not considered a felony. In this state, anyone convicted of animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect is slapped with a misdeamenor. This means the guilty party generally serves no jail time and pays a minimal fine, and then is free to do it again.
Ohio House Bill 70 would amend section 959.99 of the Ohio Revised Code to increase the penalty for violation of the prohibition against cruel treatment of a companion animal by the animal's custodian or caretaker to a felony of the fifth degree.
Animal cruelty laws in this state are severely inadequate and do not protect companion animals in Belmont County or the other 87 counties in this state. The Belmont County Animal Shelter supports House Bill 70 which would increase the penalty to a felony and bring the state of Ohio and its treatment of companion animals into the 21st century.
There are some members of the House who are against this bill. We strongly urge you to write to your state representative to share your outrage. You can be the voice of those who have none.
to find your district and the name of your representative. Please do not allow this bill to die in committee. This is your chance to speak up for those who can't.
For more information about this bill, visit www.nitrofoundation.com.
There is a petition at the shelter that can be signed as well. If you plan on visiting the shelter in the near future, please stop into the office and add your name to it. If you would like to help circulate a petition, please call Cindi Clarke at 740-699-0745.
