Ohio law increases penalties for those who abuse animals

By Marc Kovac | July 4, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

Fifth of a six-part series

COLUMBUS

State lawmakers approved additional legislation aimed at penalizing people who abuse their pets or animals in their care, the latest law changes in recent sessions dealing with that issue.

They also upped the sentences for those convicted of killing police dogs or horses.

Here are 10 more of 60 law changes approved before lawmakers left Columbus for their summer recess, with most set to take effect in August or September:

1 Cosmetology: There was much discussion and debate in recent months about Ohio’s cosmetology-related laws. In the end, lawmakers approved a package of reforms to change licensing and education requirements for those working in related businesses.

Senate Bill 213 included language eliminating the requirement that store managers obtain licenses and be on site when salons are open for business.

2 Foster Care: Advocates for foster-care youths are praising lawmakers’ action on House Bill 50, which will ensure services and adoption assistance for eligible youths through age 21. Proponents say the bill will help teens who are currently aging out of foster care programming to continue to receive help as they prepare for college or careers.

“With the passage of House Bill 50, Ohio can begin the process of launching a program of core support services to help youth who age out of foster care to bridge more successfully to adulthood,” said Mark Mecum, chairman of Ohio Fostering Connections, in a news statement.

3 Guardianship Issues: That same legislation included language requiring probate courts to furnish appointed guardians with a guardianship guide produced by the attorney general’s office.

Guardianships are OK’d and monitored by probate courts when individuals cannot care for themselves due to health problems, mental illnesses, development disabilities or other issues.

You can find a copy of the guide online at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov.

4 Pet Abuse: People who hurt pet dogs or cats or neglect those pets while in their care could face increased criminal penalties, under HB 60.

Under the legislation, those who “knowingly cause serious physical harm” to companion animals would face felony charges. Under current law, such abuse is considered a misdemeanor on a first offense and a felony on subsequent violations.

The bill also tightens prohibitions in state law for kennel owners who abuse or neglect animals in their care.

5 Jethro: That same bill was amended to include provisions requiring mandatory prison terms for those who kill police dogs or horses.

The language was originally offered in separate legislation, introduced in honor of Jethro, a Canton Police Department canine that was killed in the line of duty.

Current state law includes potential third-degree felony charges against those who harass or assault police dogs, but there was nothing in state law penalizing those who kill the animals in the line of duty.

6 Hit and Run: Better think twice before leaving the scene of an accident. HB 110 will increase criminal penalties for doing so for accidents causing serious injury or death. The legislation was titled “Brandon’s Law,” in memory of a Guernsey County teen who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2013.

Under current law, fleeing the scene of an accident that causes serious injury is considered a fifth-degree felony, while fleeing one that causes a death is a third-degree felony.

HB 110 would increase the penalties for those to crimes to fourth- and second-degree felonies, respectively, provided perpetrators leave accidents scene knowing they have seriously hurt or killed a person.

7 Good Samaritans: HB 110 included language providing immunity from drug-possession charges for those who seek medical attention for themselves or others who have overdosed.

8 Sales Tax Holiday: Did you take advantage of last year’s initial three-day sales-tax holiday, in advance of the new school year?

You’ll be able to enjoy another sales-tax-free weekend this year, thanks to SB 264, which extended the event for one more year.

Lawmakers haven’t committed to making the sales-tax holiday a permanent feature, yet.

But on Aug. 5, 6 and 7 of this year, you’ll be able to buy clothing items priced up to $75 and school supplies and instructional materials up to $20, whether purchased in stores or through online retailers, without any sales taxes due.

As was the case last year, the exemption will not cover computers and other electronics, sports equipment, clothing and hair accessories or higher-priced clothing and supplies.

9 Honoring Voinovich: State lawmakers finalized a bridge naming in honor of former Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, who died this month. SB 182 renames the east- and westbound bridges over of Interstate 90 over the Cuyahoga River as the George V. Voinovich Bridge.

10 More Road Namings: That same legislation included more than two dozen other road and bridge memorials.

The list included a stretch of state route in Warren County to honor astronaut and Ohio native Neil Armstrong and a portion of U.S. Route 30 in western Ohio in memory of Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Oxley.

The bill takes full effect in early August, with new signs to be installed noting the changes.