Youngstown man pitches animal-protection law before Ohio Senate panel

COLUMBUS — A Youngstown-area man urged lawmakers today to move legislation enabling emergency responders to assist injured pets at accident scenes.

Jason Cooke, former president of the humane society that serves Mahoning County and a board member at Falcon Animal Rescue in Austintown, spoke as a proponent of House Bill 187 before the Ohio Senate’s Agriculture Committee, joining a handful of other proponents of the proposed law changes.

But Cooke and other advocates voiced concerns about two other pet-related bills, urging amendments before final passage to ensure pets are protected and animal abusers are appropriately penalized.

The three bills are being considered by the lawmaker panel but have not yet been moved for final floor votes in the chamber.