Section 1717.06 | Agents of county humane society.
(A) A county humane society organized under section 1717.05 of the Revised Code may appoint humane society agents for the purpose of prosecuting any person guilty of an act of cruelty to animals. Such agents may arrest any person found violating this chapter or any other law for protecting animals or preventing acts of cruelty thereto. Upon making an arrest, the humane society agent shall convey the person arrested before a court or magistrate having jurisdiction of the offense, and there make complaint against the person on oath or affirmation of the offense.
(B) A humane society agent that was appointed prior to March 31, 2021, by a branch of the Ohio humane society is considered to be a humane society agent appointed under this section for purposes of this chapter and any other laws regarding humane society agents.
(C)(1) The appointment of an agent under this section is subject to the requirements of section 1717.061 of the Revised Code, and is not final until the appointment has been approved under division (C)(2) of this section.
(2) The appointment of an agent under this section does not take effect unless it has been approved by the mayor of the municipal corporation for which it is made. If the society operates outside a municipal corporation, the appointment does not take effect until it has been approved by the probate judge of the county for which it is made. The mayor or probate judge shall keep a record of the appointments and shall maintain as a public record a copy of the proof of successful completion of training for each humane society agent acting within the approving authority's jurisdiction.
(D) The approving authority shall notify the appropriate county sheriff and the board of county commissioners when the appointment of a humane society agent has been approved and, not later than two business days after the appointment has been approved, shall file a copy of the proof of successful completion of training with the sheriff. The county sheriff shall maintain as a public record a copy of the proof for each humane society agent that is operating in the county.
(E) A humane society shall notify the county sheriff and the approving authority when all approved humane society agents have ceased to perform the duties of the appointment and there are no humane society agents operating in the county.
(F) A humane society agent only has the specific authority granted to the agent under the Revised Code.
(G) The Ohio peace officer training commission shall issue a certificate of completion of the training program required for appointment as a humane society agent under this section in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:
(1) The individual holds a certificate of completion of such a program in another state.
(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a humane society agent in a state that does not require a certificate of completion of such a program.
Last updated December 29, 2023 at 7:10 AM
Available Versions of this Section
- April 9, 2003 – Senate Bill 221 - 124th General Assembly [ View April 9, 2003 Version ]
- March 21, 2017 – Senate Bill 331 - 131st General Assembly [ View March 21, 2017 Version ]
- March 31, 2021 – Amended by House Bill 24 - 133rd General Assembly [ View March 31, 2021 Version ]
- December 29, 2023 – Amended by Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly [ View December 29, 2023 Version ]