WARREN Bills would tackle abuse, neglect of domestic animals

A local senator has introduced a bill that would toughen Ohio's animal cruelty and neglect laws.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Sammy the Survivor can't pick his assailant out of a lineup.
And without a voice, it's impossible for him to tell authorities exactly what happened.
It's a good thing he's got people looking out for him.
The Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County and state Sen. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-32nd, are on Sammy's side and want to see harsher penalties imposed for those who abuse and neglect animals.
The 5-week-old kitten was left blind after being hit in the head, shoulder and leg with a brick.
His head was tremendously swollen when he was rescued earlier this month, officials say.
Paula Humphrey, humane officer with the animal welfare league, was dispatched to investigate after Warren police received a call about the injured animal.
She can't locate the 18-year-old man who's believed to be responsible for Sammy's injuries.
Authorities don't know his last name and people staying in the house where he was thought to be say he lives in Youngstown.
"If and when I find him, I will charge him," Humphrey said.
Getting it together: Ryan is sponsoring Senate Bill 174, introduced Oct. 10 to protect Ohio's domesticated animals.
It's being backed by state Rep. Dan Sferra of Warren, D-66th, who plans to draft companion House legislation.
The two were expected to discuss the proposed legislation this morning at the AWLTC shelter, 545 Brunstetter Road S.W.
The bill looks to strengthen the penalty for animal cruelty, taking it from a misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony.
Animals targeted by the legislation include dogs, cats, horses, jacks, mules, sheep, goats, cattle, swine, poultry and others.
Those found guilty of torturing, beating, injuring, poisoning or killing an animal could be charged with a felony.
Those who abandon, improperly euthanize or confine animals without sufficient food and water would face first-degree misdemeanors on the first offense and fifth-degree felonies thereafter.
What's behind this: Ryan said the National Animal Welfare League considers Ohio to have some of the weakest animal cruelty laws in the country.
He said the bill was spurred by stories of neglect and abuse, including dog fighting, in Trumbull County.
Humphrey said the kitty was named "Sammy the Survivor" when it became apparent he was going to survive, despite doctors' doubts.
The AWLTC also took in Sammy's sister, Amy, a black kitten with a touch of white on the chest. Both are up for adoption and Humphrey said it would be nice to find a family to take both, but that it's not necessary.
For more information on adoption, call 394-4122.
What's sad, Ryan said, is that there seem to be stricter penalties "for those who steal a candy bar than for those who torture a dog to death."
He added that criminal profiles have shown that many children who engage in animal cruelty exhibit some kind of violent behavior later in life.
The minimal sentences imposed for these types of crimes is heart breaking, Humphrey said.
AWLTC President Barbara Busko said 427 calls for animal abuse or neglect were received last year, involving cats, dogs, chickens, cows, horses and a pig.
She called that figure low, saying such cases go underreported.
Busko attributes less than 1 percent of cases to deliberate cruelty, as most are the result of neglect.
"It's good that [Ryan] is doing this," she continued. "We have a realistic approach. It's been difficult to get anything through the state Legislature on this."
Here's the problem: A similar House Bill died in committee last year because of a lack of support, Busko said, adding that hunters often oppose such measures because they think that kind of legislation is the first step toward a ban on hunting.
The senator said the bill must go through three hearings before it passes committee. He hopes to have one scheduled by the end of the year.
davis@vindy.com