Owners who leave their animals outside in severe weather would face criminal penalties

By Marc Kovac | April 22, 2015 at 12:06a.m.

COLUMBUS

Pet owners who leave their animals tied outside during severe weather or for more than six hours a day could face criminal charges, under legislation being considered in the Ohio House.

HB 94 was offered by Rep. John Barnes Jr., D-Cleveland, as a means to draw attention to the mistreatment of animals and to increase respect for pets.

“Simply put, the bill will provide protection and provide some responsibilities,” he told the Ohio House’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, where the bill had a first hearing Tuesday.

“Dogs bring comfort, love, joy, companionship to [their] owners, but so, too, those owners have a responsibility to those pets. That’s what this discussion is about.”

The legislation would prohibit tethering animals for more than six hours out of every 24-hour period, overnight or when heat or cold advisories or severe weather warnings are in effect.

The bill also would prohibit tethers that are shorter than 20 feet in length, and animals would need to be provided “a sanitary environment that is free of an accumulation of feces or other waste and insect and rodent infestation and of foul odor,” according to an analysis by the state’s Legislative Service Commission.

Violators would face increasing misdemeanor penalties for failing to meet the proposed requirements.

Barnes’ bill drew questions and concerns from the agriculture committee, however.

Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany, said she has heard from horsemen’s groups, who said the law as written would outlaw the means by which equine owners transport their animals.

“I’m a little bit queasy about this legislation as it relates to the state fair and county fairs,” said Rep. Jim Buchy, R-Greenville. “I’m thinking particularly of cattle that are shown at fairs.”

Phillips also questioned the bill’s use of “animals” in general rather than “companion animals,” such as dogs and cats. The former would mean the prohibitions would apply to a broad range of animals and could prove problematic, she said.

State Rep. Michele Lepore- Hagan, a Democrat from Youngstown, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. She represents the 58th state House district.