COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new bill introduced in the Ohio Senate seeks to significantly toughen penalties for animal cruelty offenses, particularly for those involving companion animals, which are defined as any animal kept inside a residence, as well as dogs and cats. Senate Bill 64, introduced in February by Senator Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), proposes upgraded charges for animal abuse and new mandatory sentencing guidelines for offenders.

Key Provisions of Senate Bill 64

  • Harsher Penalties for First-Time Offenders: Under current Ohio law, knowingly committing an act of cruelty against a companion animal is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense. The proposed bill would upgrade this to a fifth-degree felony, increasing the severity of the charge and potential penalties.
  • Increased Punishment for Negligent Cruelty: The legislation seeks to elevate the charge for negligently committing an act of cruelty to a companion animal from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor, ensuring that even unintentional harm is met with stricter consequences.
  • Stronger Enforcement for Kennel Owners and Employees: The bill proposes steeper penalties for individuals working in dog kennels who commit acts of cruelty against animals. For those who knowingly harm an animal, the charge would be upgraded from a fifth-degree felony to a third-degree felony. If the harm was caused negligently, the offense would be elevated from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony.
  • Mandatory Maximum Sentences: Courts would be required to impose the maximum prison sentence for anyone convicted of an animal cruelty charge. For example, a third-degree felony in Ohio is punishable by a prison term ranging from nine to 36 months. If a kennel worker were convicted of knowingly abusing a dog or cat, the court would have no discretion and would be required to impose the full 36-month sentence.
  • Restrictions on Animal Ownership for Offenders: The bill also expands current restrictions on convicted animal abusers. Under existing Ohio law, individuals convicted of felony animal abuse are banned from owning, possessing, or residing with certain animals, including unspayed or unneutered dogs older than 12 weeks and dangerous dogs. The new legislation would extend this ban to include all companion animals for three years following an offender’s release from incarceration or, if they were not incarcerated, for three years from the date of conviction.

Supporters and Opposition

Animal rights groups and humane societies across Ohio have voiced strong support for Senate Bill 64, arguing that it is a necessary step to deter animal cruelty and provide justice for abused animals. They emphasize that stricter penalties will help hold offenders accountable and prevent repeat offenses.

However, some legal experts and civil liberties advocates have expressed concerns about the mandatory sentencing aspect of the bill, arguing that judges should have discretion when determining appropriate punishments on a case-by-case basis.

Next Steps

Senate Bill 64 is currently under review and will go through committee hearings before being considered for a vote in the Ohio Senate. If passed, it would mark one of the most significant expansions of Ohio’s animal protection laws in recent years.

For now, animal rights advocates are urging lawmakers to prioritize the bill and ensure that Ohio continues to strengthen protections for companion animals.