The AKC Government Relations Department has learned that the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled a public hearing for supporters of House Bill 14 for Wednesday, February 9, 2011.
The American Kennel Club strongly supports House Bill 14, which seeks to remove the term “pit bull” from the state’s definition of “vicious dog”. Click here to read the AKC’s letter to the Criminal Justice Committee.
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. Owners of these dogs must comply with numerous regulations, regardless of whether the dog is actually a problem in the community. The 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 9, 2011 and express your support for House Bill 14. The hearing information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, February 9, 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.
- Contact the committee members and ask them to support House Bill 14. Click here to view the names of the committee members and their contact information.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
The AKC Government Relations Department has learned that the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee…