ANIMAL LEGISLATION UPDATE - OHIO - OHIO GROUP WANTS STRONGER ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS - A MUST READ FOR OHIOS COMPANION ANIMAL ADVOCATES! Reporting by Dick Berry, Toledo News Now News segment: toledonewsnow/story/25992622/ohio-group-wants-stronger-animal-protection-laws (Toledo News Now) - A group of animal lovers is trying to make Ohio a safer place for animals. Ohio Voters for Companion Animals formed in January 2013 with the goal to get the state to do more to protect our four-legged friends. I would feel better knowing that if someone harmed my dog that it would be considered a serious crime, as opposed to a piece of property being basically damaged, said Debbie Lang, a member of OVCA. The group is urging legislators to stiffen animal cruelty and abuse penalties. Currently, harming a pet in Ohio is a misdemeanor. OVCA thinks it should be a felony. Historically speaking, I think the state legislature has deemed that you dont need a felony. It would create more litigation, said Lang. She says out of the 50 states, the Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Ohio 34th in the overall protection of animals. Thats why OVCA believes deliberate acts of cruelty, such as shooting or stabbing companion animals, should be a felony. One hot topic under debate by animal advocates is leaving a pet inside a car on a summer day. But wouldnt it be just as easy to rescue the animal by breaking a window, saving the owner from facing serious charges? While people may feel this is a good thing to do, most police officers will say youre looking for a potential charge by doing that, Lang said. The debate goes on. OVCA is holding a series of animal law seminars around the state. The next one is Saturday, July 26 in Toledo. For more information, visit ohiovotersforcompanionanimals. ~~~ Prosecuting Animal Abuse in Ohio: Recognizing Animal Cruelty and Knowing What to Do About It Saturday, July 26, 2014 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Registration Fee: $40 (includes lunch and program booklet) ~~~ 10:00 am - Discussion of Three Steps to Recognizing Animal Cruelty: 1. Definition of animal cruelty under Ohio law 2. Role of Animals as Evidence 3. Importance of Connecting with Law Enforcement 12:00 pm - Lunch Catered by Le Petit Gourmet 1:00 pm - Discussion of Knowing What Happens From The Moment An Arrest Warrant is Issued to Conviction of an Animal Abuse Charge: 1. The Process of An Animal Cruelty Case 2. How Animal Advocates Can Have the Greatest Impact Facilitator: Mary OConnor-Shaver, OVCA Roundtable Presenters: 1. Steffen Evan Baldwin, Humane Agent, President/CEO of Animal Cruelty Task Force of Ohio 2. Stephanie Gonzalez, Co-Founder of Rescue Me Ohio 3. Julie Lyle, Lucas County Dog Warden 4. Charles McDonald, Esq., Lucas County Assistant Prosecutor 5. Sergeant Greg Mahlman, Toledo Police Department 6. Christine Shepard, Esq., Co-Founder of Rescue Me Ohio ~~~ Seating is Limited! To register, visit the Events page at ohiovotersforcompanionanimals Questions? Please contact: info@ohiovotersforcompanionanimals
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 03:57:38 +0000
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