A bill passed in the Ohio House Wednesday aims to hold kennel owners more accountable, if they abuse or neglect animals they're paid to look after and care for.
As of now, animal cruelty in Ohio is treated as a second degree misdemeanor for a first offense, but soon may become a first degree misdemeanor for multiple counts.
A pair of local legislators have pushed House Bill 70 to become a law and bring stiffer fines and sentences for people who abuse companion animals.
State representatives passed HB 70 by a 59-38 vote. This bill would let city or county prosecutors charge kennel owners who abuse or neglect pets with a fifth degree felony, which carries a sentence of six to 12 months in jail, and a $2,500 fine.
Valley Representatives Ron Gerberry (D-59th) and Bob Hagan (D-60th) co-sponsored the bill.
"When you entrust someone to care for your animal, it's imperative that that individual or individuals live up to that standard," Gerberry said.
In October 2008 Steven Croley, the owner of High Caliber K-9 boarding and training facility in Youngstown, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals after authorities found 15 dogs either dead or dying at his home and business. Croley said he couldn't afford to take care of the animals he'd been paid to board and train.
"There were deceased and sick animals on the property, none of which he owned," said Joseph Borosky, Mahoning County humane agent. "They were all owned by other people, including servicemen overseas."
The surviving dogs were treated at Animal Charity and returned to their rightful owners, even as far away as California.
Croley paid fines and did some jail time, but Gerberry said prosecutors should be able to decide if crimes such as Croley's are in fact felonies.
"In many, many cases, when it comes to these abuse cases of animals, I think there are going to be a lot of prosecutors that are going to say, 'yes it does' and therefore be bound over to the common pleas court," Gerberry said.
"I'm glad to finally see lawmakers supporting us and helping to make a push because a lot of people don't see animal abuse as a crime, you know a lot of people say, 'it's just a dog, it's just a cat,' and that's not the fact," Borosky said.
The bill is to be considered by the State Senate.
