As of Tuesday, September 13, 2016, a new law in Ohio has been put into effect that would make it a felony to abuse companion animals.
According to WCMH:
House Bill 60, also known as Dick Goddard’s Law, makes it a fifth degree felony to cause “serious physical harm” to any companion animal, which is defined as any animal kept inside a residential dwelling, and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept. Serious physical harm includes depriving a pet of food, water or shelter or inflicting long-term pain.
People convicted of the crime would be hit with a fine, as well as a minimum of 6 months to a year behind bars. Additionally, anyone who kills a police dog or horse would be slammed with a mandatory prison sentence.
The widely-publicized story of Jethro, the police dog who was shot and killed in Canton, Ohio, cause a stir in state laws regarding animal’s rights and those of K9 officers. His killer was sentenced to some serious prison time (which included several crimes in addition to the murder of Office Jethro), and the incident could’ve been a catalyst to pass legislation like Dick Goddard’s Law.
We’re glad that states like Ohio are taking animal rights seriously. Companion animals are loved like family and grieved as such after they’ve passed. It only makes sense that someone who’d hurt a family member should be rightfully punished.
(h/t: NBC 4 / WCMH)
