White Paper: Prohibit Animal Tethering Under Specific Circumstances
It is often said that a dog is man’s best friend. Indeed, any variety of pet from dogs, to cats, to lizards, to rabbits, makes a great companion for children and adults. A pet can become a beloved part of a family. However caring a family may be, sometimes it is hard to always watch over a pet, which can lead to tethering an animal outdoors. It is important for animals to get fresh air and spend time outside, but many life-threatening issues can arise when an animal is tethered outside. House Bill 94, which has been introduced in the Ohio legislature, seeks to resolve some of those issues.
Although tethering an animal outside can be the only option when it comes to watching …show more content…
House Bill 94, titled “Tether animal outdoors-prohibit under specified circumstances” seeks to amend section 959.99 and to enact section 959.133 of the Ohio Revised code and place restrictions on animal tethering circumstances, with misdemeanor penalties set in place if they are broken. The bill places restrictions on the amount of time an animal can be tethered--no more than six hours in a twenty-four hour period, and for no more than two hours without one hour in between [bill]. These restrictions would help ensure that pets are not out in extreme temperatures for too long or left out all night. The bill also outlines the requirements for the habitat in which the animal is tethered. It states that an animal cannot be tethered outside if a heat or cold advisory has been issued in the area, if the tether is unsuitable (e.g. not the correct length, too heavy, or attached to a harness that strangles or pinches), if there is nobody at home where the animal is tethered, and if the environment in which the animal is tethered is unsuitable. These requirements are intended to allow tethering, but in a situation in which the animal is safe and can thrive. The next thing on the bill are the penalties for breaking this code. The levels of offense start as misdemeanor crimes and gradually work up to minor felonies with repeated action. That way, it is ensured that proper measures are taken to avoid neglect. This …show more content…
According to Victoria Nogay, the Cruelty Investigations Dispatcher for the Capital Area Humane Society, “the animal welfare laws in Ohio are not currently strong enough” and the Capital Area Humane society wishes to see House Bill 94 passed into law [interview]. Indeed, the current penalties for animal abuse count abuse as only a “misdemeanor,” or minor crime. House Bill 94 still has misdemeanor status for animal abuse, but seeks to tighten the boundaries on what is considered animal abuse. Ms. Nogay also offered the statistic that the Capital Area Humane Society heard “approximately 6,000 complaints of animal cruelty and neglect” in 2015 and “seized approximately 150 animals” [interview]. These numbers are indeed disturbing. 6,000 complaints of animal neglect, including improper tethering, is a sobering number. House Bill 94 seeks to reverse those numbers by increasing the degree of a misdemeanor crime with each repeat offense. With regards to the statistic from PETA that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to attack if they are chained, neighborhoods could become safer if dogs were not chained and instead lived inside a loving and safe home. Legislators should care about this bill because they have the opportunity to turn a pet’s life around. Dogs and cats and whatever other animals may be tethered have a right to dignity, safety, and love from their owners, and legislators can help make a difference in the way a pet is
It is often said that a dog is man’s best friend. Indeed, any variety of pet from dogs, to cats, to lizards, to rabbits, makes a great companion for children and adults. A pet can become a beloved part of a family. However caring a family may be, sometimes it is hard to always watch over a pet, which can lead to tethering an animal outdoors. It is important for animals to get fresh air and spend time outside, but many life-threatening issues can arise when an animal is tethered outside. House Bill 94, which has been introduced in the Ohio legislature, seeks to resolve some of those issues.
Although tethering an animal outside can be the only option when it comes to watching …show more content…
House Bill 94, titled “Tether animal outdoors-prohibit under specified circumstances” seeks to amend section 959.99 and to enact section 959.133 of the Ohio Revised code and place restrictions on animal tethering circumstances, with misdemeanor penalties set in place if they are broken. The bill places restrictions on the amount of time an animal can be tethered--no more than six hours in a twenty-four hour period, and for no more than two hours without one hour in between [bill]. These restrictions would help ensure that pets are not out in extreme temperatures for too long or left out all night. The bill also outlines the requirements for the habitat in which the animal is tethered. It states that an animal cannot be tethered outside if a heat or cold advisory has been issued in the area, if the tether is unsuitable (e.g. not the correct length, too heavy, or attached to a harness that strangles or pinches), if there is nobody at home where the animal is tethered, and if the environment in which the animal is tethered is unsuitable. These requirements are intended to allow tethering, but in a situation in which the animal is safe and can thrive. The next thing on the bill are the penalties for breaking this code. The levels of offense start as misdemeanor crimes and gradually work up to minor felonies with repeated action. That way, it is ensured that proper measures are taken to avoid neglect. This …show more content…
According to Victoria Nogay, the Cruelty Investigations Dispatcher for the Capital Area Humane Society, “the animal welfare laws in Ohio are not currently strong enough” and the Capital Area Humane society wishes to see House Bill 94 passed into law [interview]. Indeed, the current penalties for animal abuse count abuse as only a “misdemeanor,” or minor crime. House Bill 94 still has misdemeanor status for animal abuse, but seeks to tighten the boundaries on what is considered animal abuse. Ms. Nogay also offered the statistic that the Capital Area Humane Society heard “approximately 6,000 complaints of animal cruelty and neglect” in 2015 and “seized approximately 150 animals” [interview]. These numbers are indeed disturbing. 6,000 complaints of animal neglect, including improper tethering, is a sobering number. House Bill 94 seeks to reverse those numbers by increasing the degree of a misdemeanor crime with each repeat offense. With regards to the statistic from PETA that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to attack if they are chained, neighborhoods could become safer if dogs were not chained and instead lived inside a loving and safe home. Legislators should care about this bill because they have the opportunity to turn a pet’s life around. Dogs and cats and whatever other animals may be tethered have a right to dignity, safety, and love from their owners, and legislators can help make a difference in the way a pet is