COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House approved House Bill 503 yesterday, a measure aimed at curbing the import of feral swine into the state, halting their hunting, and ending the risky practice of feeding swine with garbage. The bill is sponsored by State Reps. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) and Don Jones (R-Freeport).
House Bill 503 permits landowners to kill feral hogs without a license, provided they notify the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) within 24 hours and adhere to regulations for carcass disposal. Additionally, the bill mandates that sightings of feral hogs must be reported to ODNR within the same timeframe and prohibits the importation, transportation, or possession of live wild boar or feral swine.
“These nuisances are known carriers of diseases that are dangerous to both humans and livestock, such as African Swine Fever,” Peterson said. “If African Swine Fever were to infect our commercial pig population, it would cost Ohio around $2.5 billion.”
The legislation also targets the practice of feeding swine with garbage, which can sustain feral hog populations. The bill eliminates the current license for garbage feeding and bans the importation of swine that have been fed garbage. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is empowered to investigate any reports of garbage feeding.
“The potential for these non-native, disease-spreading nuisances to harm our farmers’ livelihoods is extremely concerning,” Jones stated. “We must act now to protect Ohio’s land, crops, soil, and water.”
Violations related to feral hogs will result in a 1st-degree misdemeanor while importing, transporting, or possessing feral swine will be classified as a 5th-degree felony. The Department of Agriculture is also authorized to impose a civil penalty of $500 for feeding swine garbage, with a maximum penalty of $1,000 for subsequent violations.
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