Group trying again to ban dog auctions in Ohio

COLUMBUS (AP) — A group that wants to ban dog auctions in Ohio is waiting to learn whether it succeeded on its third attempt to collect petition signatures to get a new law.

The Coalition to Ban Dog Auctions says it submitted signatures of more than 150,000 registered voters to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office last week. The Columbus Dispatch reports that if about 116,000 signatures are certified, the Ohio Legislature would have four months to pass a ban.

If lawmakers don’t act, the coalition may collect more signatures to put a measure on the statewide ballot in November.

The group fell short in its previous petition campaigns the last two years.

The Ohio Association of Animal Owners has said dog auctions are well monitored and that a ban isn’t necessary.