Two local state representatives are looking to change Ohio's animal cruelty laws. Ron Gerberry and Bob Hagan have introduced a bill to make animal abuse a felony in the Buckeye State. The two drafted legislation because of the high caliber K-9 case that happened last year, when humane agents raided the Youngstown kennel and found seven dead, and twelve starving dogs. Steve Croley, the owner of the kennel received four months in jail, and a $1,000 fine.
Currently, animal cruelty is a misdemeanor. Gerberry says, "A person could be charged with a fifth degree felony. And a fifth degree felony you could get anywhere from six months to a year in jail, and it would be for each occurrence."
According to Gerberry, 43 other states classify animal cruelty as a felony. Gerberry described the current law as a hole in state statute, and he feels that this bill will fix it. He hopes to begin hearings on the law, in the next week.
