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The Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled a public hearing on House Bill 14 for Wednesday, February 2 at 9:00 a.m. This bill removes the term “pit bull” from Ohio’s statutory definition of vicious dogs.

The committee will also be considering House Bill 25, which would also remove the breed-specific language from Ohio law.  HB 25 would also establish graduated penalties for animal cruelty violations, probation terms and psychological evaluations for certain violations, and provisions for including companion animals in certain protection orders.

The American Kennel Club strongly supports House Bill 14 and recognizes that dangerous dogs should be defined by their deeds, not their breed.

Ohio is currently the only state to have enacted statewide breed-specific legislation. The current law states that if a dog “belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull”, then it is automatically considered vicious and dangerous. Owners of these dogs must submit reports to the board of health and county dog warden whenever there is a transfer of ownership. Breed-specific language in state law has also enabled local Ohio municipalities to enact strict ordinances regarding ownership of “pit bulls” and has led to the ban and euthanasia of numerous dogs in communities throughout the state.

Read AKC talking points on breed-specific legislation.

Read AKC Issue Analysis “Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn’t Work”

How You Can Help:

  • Attend the House Criminal Justice Committee hearing on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. The hearing information is as follows:
     

    Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2011
    Time: 9:00 a.m.
    Location: Ohio Statehouse
    Room 114
    77 S. High Street
    Columbus, Ohio 43215
    Cash is required for parking

    * If you would like to speak at the hearing, you must complete a Witness Slip and provide 30 written copies of your remarks.  It is recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the hearing to have time to complete the form and submit the copies of your remarks.
     

 

For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

The Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled a public hearing on House Bill 14 for…