Chapter 959 | Offenses Relating To Domestic Animals

Section 959.01 | Abandoning animals.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No owner or keeper of a dog, cat, or other domestic animal, shall abandon such animal.

Section 959.02 | Injuring animals.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No person shall maliciously, or willfully, and without the consent of the owner, kill or injure a horse, mare, foal, filly, jack, mule, sheep, goat, cow, steer, bull, heifer, ass, ox, swine, dog, cat, or other domestic animal that is the property of another. This section does not apply to a licensed veterinarian acting in an official capacity.

Section 959.03 | Poisoning animals.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No person shall maliciously, or willfully and without the consent of the owner, administer poison, except a licensed veterinarian acting in such capacity, to a horse, mare, foal, filly, jack, mule, sheep, goat, cow, steer, bull, heifer, ass, ox, swine, dog, cat, poultry, or any other domestic animal that is the property of another; and no person shall, willfully and without consent of the owner, place any poisoned food where it may be easily found and eaten by any of such animals, either upon his own lands or the lands of another.

Section 959.04 | Trespassing animals.

• Effective: October 10, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 104th General Assembly

Sections 959.02 and 959.03 of the Revised Code do not extend to a person killing or injuring an animal or attempting to do so while endeavoring to prevent it from trespassing upon his enclosure, or while it is so trespassing, or while driving it away from his premises; provided within fifteen days thereafter, payment is made for damages done to such animal by such killing or injuring, less the actual amount of damage done by such animal while so trespassing, or a sufficient sum of money is deposited with the nearest judge of a county court or judge of a municipal court having jurisdiction within such time to cover such damages. Such deposit shall remain in the custody of such judge until there is a determination of the damages resulting from such killing or injury and from such trespass. Such judge and his bondsmen shall be responsible for the safekeeping of such money and for the payment thereof as for money collected upon a judgment.

Section 959.05 | Drugging animal prior to competition.

• Effective: February 26, 1976
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 894 - 111th General Assembly

No person shall administer to any animal within forty-eight hours prior to the time that the animal competes at a fair or exhibition conducted by a county or independent agricultural society authorized under Chapter 1711. of the Revised Code or by the Ohio expositions commission any drug or medicament not specifically permitted under rules of the state racing commission promulgated pursuant to Chapter 3769. of the Revised Code or under rules of the society, in respect to a county or independent agricultural society, or of the Ohio expositions commission, in respect to the Ohio state fair. This section does not apply to any horse racing meeting conducted under a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 3769. of the Revised Code.

Section 959.06 | Destruction of domestic animals.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 164 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "animal shelter" means a facility operated by a humane society or any society organized under Chapter 1717. of the Revised Code, a dog pound operated pursuant to Chapter 955. of the Revised Code, or a local animal shelter that is operated by any entity of local government.

(B) No person shall destroy any domestic animal by the use of either of the following:

(1) A high altitude decompression chamber; or

(2) Any method other than a method that immediately and painlessly renders the domestic animal initially unconscious and subsequently dead.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no animal shelter shall destroy a domestic animal by the use of a carbon monoxide gas chamber, carbon dioxide gas chamber, or any other nonanesthetic inhalant.

(2) An animal shelter may destroy a domestic animal by the use of a carbon monoxide gas chamber, carbon dioxide gas chamber, or any other nonanesthetic inhalant if the state veterinary medical licensing board, in consultation with the state board of pharmacy, declares that there is a shortage of approved lethal injection substances.

(D) This section does not apply to or prohibit the destruction of an animal under Chapter 941. of the Revised Code, the slaughtering of livestock under Chapter 945. of the Revised Code, or the taking of any wild animal, as defined in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code, when taken in accordance with Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code.

(E) This section does not apply to either of the following:

(1) The lawful practice of veterinary medicine by a person who has been issued a license, temporary permit, or registration certificate under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code;

(2) An animal used in scientific research conducted by a research facility in accordance with the federal animal welfare act and related regulations. As used in division (E)(2) of this section, "federal animal welfare act" has the same meaning as in section 959.131 of the Revised Code.

(F) The offenses established under this section are strict liability offenses and section 2901.20 of the Revised Code does not apply. The designation of these offenses as strict liability offenses shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense.

Last updated February 8, 2023 at 3:59 PM

Section 959.07 | Reporting of violation involving a companion animal by licensed professionals.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in sections 959.07 to 959.10 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Companion animal" has the same meaning as in section 959.131 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Licensed veterinarian" has the same meaning as in section 4741.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Protective services" has the same meaning as in section 5101.60 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Officer" has the same meaning as in section 959.132 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Social service professional" means an employee or agent of a public children services agency or an employee or agent of a county department of job and family services with responsibility for protective services.

(6) "Older adult" means any person sixty years of age or older within this state who is disabled by the infirmities of aging or who has a physical or mental impairment which prevents the person from providing for the person's own care or protection, and who resides in an independent living arrangement.

(7) "Violation involving a companion animal" means any violation of section 959.01, 959.02, 959.03, 959.13, 959.131, 959.15, 959.16, or 959.21 of the Revised Code involving a companion animal.

(B)(1) No person listed in division (B)(2) of this section shall fail to immediately report a violation involving a companion animal to an officer who is not a dog warden or deputy dog warden when that person has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that such a violation has occurred or is occurring.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section applies to all of the following operating in an official or professional capacity:

(a) A licensed veterinarian;

(b) A social service professional;

(c) A person licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 11:06 AM

Section 959.08 | Reporting of violation involving a companion animal by officers, dog wardens.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 133rd General Assembly

No officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden operating in an official or professional capacity, shall fail to immediately report a violation involving a companion animal to an appropriate social service professional when all of the following apply:

(A) The officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a violation involving a companion animal has occurred or is occurring;

(B) The officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a child or older adult resides with the alleged violator;

(C) The officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden suspects that the violation involving a companion animal may have an impact on the child or older adult residing with the alleged violator.

Section 959.09 | Manner of reporting violation; immunity; false reports.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 133rd General Assembly

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, a person required to make a report under section 959.07 or 959.08 of the Revised Code may do so orally or in writing and shall include all of the following in the report:

(a) If known, the name and description of the companion animal involved;

(b) The address and telephone number of the owner or other person responsible for care of the companion animal, if known;

(c) The nature and extent of the suspected abuse;

(d) Any other information that the person making the report believes may be useful in establishing the existence of the suspected violation involving a companion animal or the identity of the person causing the violation involving a companion animal.

(2) An officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden required to make a report under section 959.08 of the Revised Code may exclude any information from the report that is confidential or that the officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden reasonably believes could jeopardize a pending criminal investigation.

(B) A person required to make a report under section 959.07 or 959.08 of the Revised Code is immune from civil or criminal liability in connection with making that report if the person acted in good faith when making the report.

(C) No person required to make a report under section 959.07 or 959.08 of the Revised Code shall knowingly make a false report.

(D)(1) A court shall award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party in any civil or criminal action or proceeding in which it is alleged and proved that participation in the making of a report under section 959.07 or 959.08 of the Revised Code was not in good faith.

(2) A court may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the party against whom a civil action or proceeding is brought in which it is alleged that participation in the making of a report under section 959.07 or 959.08 of the Revised Code was not in good faith if the action or proceeding is voluntarily dismissed.

Section 959.10 | Warning, explanation for failure to make report.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 133rd General Assembly

The entity with responsibility for employment oversight of an officer, dog warden, or deputy dog warden shall issue that individual a confidential written warning if the entity discovers that the individual has violated section 959.08 of the Revised Code. The entity shall include in the warning an explanation of the violation and the reporting requirement.

Section 959.12 | Alteration of brands.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No person shall maliciously alter or deface an artificial earmark or brand upon a horse, mare, foal, filly, jack, mule, sheep, goat, cow, steer, bull, heifer, ass, ox, swine, that is the property of another.

Section 959.13 | Cruelty to animals.

• Effective: January 17, 1977
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 858 - 111th General Assembly

(A) No person shall:

(1) Torture an animal, deprive one of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, or impound or confine an animal without supplying it during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good wholesome food and water;

(2) Impound or confine an animal without affording it, during such confinement, access to shelter from wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it can reasonably be expected that the animal would otherwise become sick or in some other way suffer. Division (A)(2) of this section does not apply to animals impounded or confined prior to slaughter. For the purpose of this section, shelter means a man-made enclosure, windbreak, sunshade, or natural windbreak or sunshade that is developed from the earth's contour, tree development, or vegetation.

(3) Carry or convey an animal in a cruel or inhuman manner;

(4) Keep animals other than cattle, poultry or fowl, swine, sheep, or goats in an enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, nor or feed cows on food that produces impure or unwholesome milk;

(5) Detain livestock in railroad cars or compartments longer than twenty-eight hours after they are so placed without supplying them with necessary food, water, and attention, nor permit such stock to be so crowded as to overlie, crush, wound, or kill each other.

(B) Upon the written request of the owner or person in custody of any particular shipment of livestock, which written request shall be separate and apart from any printed bill of lading or other railroad form, the length of time in which such livestock may be detained in any cars or compartments without food, water, and attention, may be extended to thirty-six hours without penalty therefor. This section does not prevent the dehorning of cattle.

(C) All fines collected for violations of this section shall be paid to the society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals, if there be such in the county, township, or municipal corporation where such violation occurred.

Section 959.131 | Prohibitions concerning companion animals.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 164 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Companion animal" means any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept, including a pet store as defined in section 956.01 of the Revised Code. "Companion animal" does not include livestock or any wild animal.

(2) "Cruelty," "torment," and "torture" have the same meanings as in section 1717.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Residential dwelling" means a structure or shelter or the portion of a structure or shelter that is used by one or more humans for the purpose of a habitation.

(4) "Practice of veterinary medicine" has the same meaning as in section 4741.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Wild animal" has the same meaning as in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Federal animal welfare act" means the "Laboratory Animal Act of 1966," Pub. L. No. 89-544, 80 Stat. 350 (1966), 7 U.S.C.A. 2131 et seq., as amended by the "Animal Welfare Act of 1970," Pub. L. No. 91-579, 84 Stat. 1560 (1970), the "Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1976," Pub. L. No. 94-279, 90 Stat. 417 (1976), and the "Food Security Act of 1985," Pub. L. No. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1354 (1985), and as it may be subsequently amended.

(7) "Dog kennel" means an animal rescue for dogs, a boarding kennel, or a training kennel.

(8) "Boarding kennel" and "animal rescue for dogs" have the same meanings as in section 956.01 of the Revised Code.

(9) "Training kennel" means an establishment operating for profit that keeps, houses, and maintains dogs for the purpose of training the dogs in return for a fee or other consideration.

(10) "Livestock" means horses, mules, and other equidae; cattle, sheep, goats, and other bovidae; swine and other suidae; poultry; alpacas; llamas; captive white-tailed deer; and any other animal that is raised or maintained domestically for food or fiber.

(11) "Captive white-tailed deer" has the same meaning as in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code.

(12) "Serious physical harm" means any of the following:

(a) Physical harm that carries an unnecessary or unjustifiable substantial risk of death;

(b) Physical harm that involves either partial or total permanent incapacity;

(c) Physical harm that involves acute pain of a duration that results in substantial suffering or that involves any degree of prolonged or intractable pain.

(B) No person shall knowingly torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against a companion animal.

(C) No person shall knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal.

(D) No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the following:

(1) Torture, torment, or commit an act of cruelty against the companion animal;

(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the deprivation or confinement;

(3) Impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the lack of adequate shelter.

(E) No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall recklessly deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water.

(F) No owner, manager, or employee of a dog kennel who confines or is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against the companion animal;

(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water if it is reasonably expected that the companion animal would die or experience unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering as a result of the deprivation or confinement;

(3) Impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it is reasonably expected that the companion animal would die or experience unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering as a result of or due to the lack of adequate shelter.

(G) No owner, manager, or employee of a dog kennel who confines or is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the following:

(1) Torture, torment, or commit an act of cruelty against the companion animal;

(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the deprivation or confinement;

(3) Impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the lack of adequate shelter.

(H) Divisions (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of this section do not apply to any of the following:

(1) A companion animal used in scientific research conducted by an institution in accordance with the federal animal welfare act and related regulations;

(2) The lawful practice of veterinary medicine by a person who has been issued a license, temporary permit, or registration certificate to do so under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code;

(3) Dogs being used or intended for use for hunting or field trial purposes, provided that the dogs are being treated in accordance with usual and commonly accepted practices for the care of hunting dogs;

(4) The use of common training devices, if the companion animal is being treated in accordance with usual and commonly accepted practices for the training of animals;

(5) The administering of medicine to a companion animal that was properly prescribed by a person who has been issued a license, temporary permit, or registration certificate under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code.

(I) Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that otherwise provides for the distribution of fine moneys, the clerk of court shall forward all fines the clerk collects that are so imposed for any violation of this section to the treasurer of the political subdivision or the state, whose county humane society or law enforcement agency is to be paid the fine money as determined under this division. The treasurer to whom the fines are forwarded shall pay the fine moneys to the county humane society or the county, township, municipal corporation, or state law enforcement agency in this state that primarily was responsible for or involved in the investigation and prosecution of the violation. If a county humane society receives any fine moneys under this division, the county humane society shall use the fine moneys either to provide the training that is required for humane society agents under section 1717.061 of the Revised Code or to provide additional training for humane society agents.

Last updated February 8, 2023 at 3:59 PM

Section 959.132 | Impounding and disposition of companion animal.

• Effective: March 31, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 24 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

"Companion animal" has the same meaning as in section 959.131 of the Revised Code.

"Impounding agency" means a county humane society organized under section 1717.05 of the Revised Code, an animal shelter, or a law enforcement agency that has impounded a companion animal in accordance with this section.

"Offense" means a violation of Chapter 959. of the Revised Code or an attempt, in violation of section 2923.02 of the Revised Code, to violate Chapter 959. of the Revised Code.

"Officer" means any law enforcement officer, humane society agent, or other person appointed to act as an animal control officer for a municipal corporation or township in accordance with state law, an ordinance, or a resolution.

(B) An officer may seize and cause to be impounded at an impounding agency an animal that the officer has probable cause to believe is the subject of an offense. No officer or impounding agency shall impound an animal that is the subject of an offense in a shelter owned, operated, or controlled by a board of county commissioners pursuant to Chapter 955. of the Revised Code unless the board, by resolution, authorizes the impoundment of such an animal in a shelter owned, operated, or controlled by that board and has executed, in the case when the officer is other than a dog warden or assistant dog warden, a contract specifying the terms and conditions of the impoundment.

(C) The officer shall give written notice of the seizure and impoundment to the owner, keeper, or harborer of the animal not later than twenty-four hours after the animal was seized and impounded. If the officer is unable to give the notice to the owner, keeper, or harborer of the animal, the officer shall post the notice on the door of the residence or in another conspicuous place on the premises at which the animal was seized. The notice shall include a statement that a hearing will be held not later than ten days after the notice is provided or at the next available court date to determine whether the officer had probable cause to seize the animal and, if applicable, to determine the amount of a bond or cash deposit that is needed to provide for the animal's care and keeping for not less than thirty days beginning on the date on which the animal was impounded.

(D) An animal that is seized under this section may be humanely destroyed immediately or at any time during impoundment if a licensed veterinarian determines it to be necessary because the animal is suffering.

(E)(1) Not later than ten days after notice is provided or at the next available court date, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether the officer impounding an animal had probable cause to seize the animal. If the court determines that probable cause exists, the court shall determine the amount of a bond or cash deposit that is necessary and reasonable to provide for the animal's care and keeping for not less than thirty days beginning on the date on which the animal was impounded.

(2) If the court determines that probable cause does not exist, the court immediately shall order the impounding agency to return the animal to its owner if possible. If the animal cannot be returned because it has died as a result of neglect or other misconduct by the impounding agency or if the animal is injured as a result of neglect or other misconduct by the impounding agency, the court shall order the impounding agency to pay the owner an amount determined by the court to be equal to the reasonable market value of the animal at the time that it was impounded plus statutory interest as defined in section 1343.03 of the Revised Code from the date of the impoundment or an amount determined by the court to be equal to the reasonable cost of treatment of the injury to the animal, as applicable. The requirement established in division (E)(2) of this section regarding the payment of the reasonable market value of the animal shall not apply in the case of a dog that, in violation of section 955.01 of the Revised Code, was not registered at the time it was seized and impounded.

(3) If the court determines that probable cause exists and determines the amount of a bond or cash deposit, the case shall continue and the owner shall post a bond or cash deposit to provide for the animal's care and keeping for not less than thirty days beginning on the date on which the animal was impounded. The owner may renew a bond or cash deposit by posting, not later than ten days following the expiration of the period for which a previous bond or cash deposit was posted, a new bond or cash deposit in an amount that the court, in consultation with the impounding agency, determines is necessary and reasonable to provide for the animal's care and keeping for not less than thirty days beginning on the date on which the previous period expired. If no bond or cash deposit is posted or if a bond or cash deposit expires and is not renewed, the impounding agency may determine the disposition of the animal unless the court issues an order that specifies otherwise.

(F) If a person is convicted of committing an offense, the court may impose the following additional penalties against the person:

(1) A requirement that the person pay for the costs incurred by the impounding agency in caring for an animal involved in the applicable offense, provided that the costs were incurred during the animal's impoundment. A bond or cash deposit posted under this section may be applied to the costs.

(2) An order permanently terminating the person's right to possession, title, custody, or care of the animal that was involved in the offense. If the court issues such an order, the court shall order the disposition of the animal.

(G) If a person is found not guilty of committing an offense, the court immediately shall order the impounding agency to return the animal to its owner if possible and to return the entire amount of any bond or cash deposit posted under division (E) of this section. If the animal cannot be returned because it has died as a result of neglect or other misconduct by the impounding agency or if the animal is injured as a result of neglect or other misconduct by the impounding agency, the court shall order the impounding agency to pay the owner an amount determined by the court to be equal to the reasonable market value of the animal at the time that it was impounded plus statutory interest as defined in section 1343.03 of the Revised Code from the date of the impoundment or an amount determined by the court to be equal to the reasonable cost of treatment of the injury to the animal, as applicable. The requirements established in this division regarding the return of a bond or cash deposit and the payment of the reasonable market value of the animal shall not apply in the case of a dog that, in violation of section 955.01 of the Revised Code, was not registered at the time it was seized and impounded.

(H) If charges are filed under section 959.131 of the Revised Code against the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal, but the companion animal that is the subject of the charges is not impounded, the court in which the charges are pending may order the owner or person having custody of the companion animal to provide to the companion animal the necessities described in division (D)(2), (D)(3), (E)(2), (E)(3), (F)(2), or (F)(3) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code until the final disposition of the charges. If the court issues an order of that nature, the court also may authorize an officer or another person to visit the place where the companion animal is being kept, at the times and under the conditions that the court may set, to determine whether the companion animal is receiving those necessities and to remove and impound the companion animal if the companion animal is not receiving those necessities.

Section 959.133 | Immunity from liability for damage resulting from forcible entry of a motor vehicle for purpose of removing an animal.

• Effective: August 31, 2016
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 215 - 131st General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, a person shall be immune from civil liability for any damage resulting from the forcible entry of a motor vehicle for the purpose of removing an animal from the vehicle if the person does all of the following:

(1) Determines the vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable method for the animal to exit the vehicle.

(2) Has a good faith belief that forcible entry into the vehicle is necessary because the animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle and, based upon the circumstances known to the person at the time, the belief is a reasonable one.

(3) Has made a good faith effort to contact the local law enforcement agency, the fire department, or a 9-1-1 operator prior to forcibly entering the vehicle. If contact is not possible prior to forcibly entering the vehicle, the person shall make contact as soon as possible after forcibly entering the vehicle.

(4) Makes a good faith effort to place a notice on the vehicle's windshield with the person's contact information, the reason the entry was made, the location of the animal, and the fact that the authorities have been notified.

(5) Remains with the animal in a safe location until law enforcement or emergency responders arrive.

(6) Used not more force to enter the vehicle and remove the animal from the vehicle than was necessary under the circumstances.

(B) Nothing in this section shall affect the person's civil liability if the person attempts to render aid to the animal in addition to what is authorized by this section.

(C) A person shall not be immune from civil liability for any damage resulting from the forcible entry of a motor vehicle for the purpose of removing an animal from the vehicle if the person's actions constitute recklessness or willful or wanton misconduct with regard to the forcible entry of the motor vehicle.

(D) As used in this section, "harm" means injury or death.

Section 959.134 | Chemical capture by certified officer not an act of cruelty.

• Effective: March 31, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 24 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Chemical capture" and "certified officer" have the same meanings as in section 955.151 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Companion animal" has the same meaning as in section 959.131 of the Revised Code.

(B) Chemical capture of a companion animal by a certified officer in accordance with the laws of this state is not an act of cruelty.

Section 959.14 | Horse tails.

• Effective: October 17, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 229 - 129th General Assembly

No owner or person having the custody, control, or possession of a horse, nor an agent or employee of such owner or custodian, shall cut off or cause to be cut off or amputated the skin, flesh, muscles, bone, or integuments of the dock or tail of the horse in order to shorten its natural length or proportions.

No person shall pull out the hairs of the foretop, mane, or withers of a horse except minimum quantities required for medical testing.

This section does not prohibit the cutting or amputation of the dock or tail of a horse when necessary because of accident, malformation, or disease or as a proactive measure to prevent injury if performed by a veterinarian that is licensed under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code or in another state.

Section 959.15 | Animal fights.

• Effective: March 31, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 24 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:

(1) Engage in cockfighting, bearbaiting, or pitting an animal against another;

(2) Use, train, or possess any animal for seizing, detaining, or maltreating a domestic animal.

(B) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:

(1) Be employed at cockfighting, bearbaiting, or pitting an animal against another;

(2) Do any of the following regarding an event involving cockfighting, bearbaiting, or pitting an animal against another:

(a) Wager money or anything else of value on the results of the event;

(b) Pay money or give anything else of value in exchange for admission to or being present at the event;

(c) Receive money or anything else of value in exchange for the admission of another person to the event or for another person to be present at the event;

(d) Use, possess, or permit or cause to be present at the event any device or substance intended to enhance an animal's ability to fight or to inflict injury on another animal;

(e) Permit or cause a minor to be present at the event if any person present at or involved with the event is conducting any of the activities described in division (B)(1) or (B)(2)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section.

(C) A person who knowingly witnesses cockfighting, bearbaiting, or an event in which one animal is pitted against another when a violation of division (B) of this section is occurring at the cockfighting, bearbaiting, or event is an aider and abettor and has committed a violation of this division.

Section 959.16 | Dogfighting offenses.

• Effective: September 30, 2008
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 71 - 127th General Assembly

(A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Promote, engage in, or be employed at dogfighting;

(2) Receive money or anything else of value for the admission of another person to a dogfighting event or a place kept for dogfighting;

(3) Sell, purchase, possess, or train a dog for dogfighting;

(4) Use, train, or possess a dog for seizing, detaining, or maltreating a domestic animal;

(5) Pay money or give anything else of value in exchange for admission to or be present at a dogfight;

(6) Witness a dogfight if it is presented as a public spectacle.

(B) The department of agriculture may investigate complaints and follow up rumors of dogfighting activities and may report any information so gathered to an appropriate prosecutor or law enforcement agency.

(C) Any peace officer, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, may seize and cause to be impounded in accordance with section 959.161 of the Revised Code any dogs that have been, are, or are intended to be used in dogfighting. In addition, any peace officer shall confiscate any equipment or devices used in training such dogs or as part of dogfights.

Section 959.161 | Impounding and disposition of fighting dog.

• Effective: September 30, 2008
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 71 - 127th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Fighting dog" means a dog that a peace officer has probable cause to believe has been, is, or is intended to be used in dogfighting in violation of section 959.16 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Impounding entity" means the entity that has possession of an impounded fighting dog during its impoundment.

(3) "Peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Violation" means a violation of section 959.16 of the Revised Code or an attempt, in violation of section 2923.02 of the Revised Code, to violate section 959.16 of the Revised Code.

(B) A peace officer may seize and cause to be impounded with an impounding entity a fighting dog that the peace officer has probable cause to believe is involved in a violation.

(C) A fighting dog that is seized under this section may be humanely destroyed under either of the following circumstances:

(1) During its seizure if it is necessary because the fighting dog is suffering;

(2) At any time during its impoundment if a licensed veterinarian determines it to be necessary because the fighting dog is suffering.

(D) Procedures, requirements, and other provisions that are established in divisions (C), (E), (F), and (G) of section 959.132 of the Revised Code shall apply to the seizure, impoundment, and disposition of a fighting dog. For purposes of that application, references in those divisions of section 959.132 of the Revised Code to "companion animal," "impounding agency," "officer," and "offense" shall be deemed to be replaced, respectively, with references to "fighting dog," "impounding entity," "peace officer," and "violation" as defined in this section. Likewise, references in those divisions of section 959.132 of the Revised Code to "section 959.131 of the Revised Code" shall be deemed to be replaced with references to section 959.16 of the Revised Code, as applicable.

Section 959.17 | Trapshooting.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Live birds or fowl shall not be used as targets in trapshooting.

Section 959.18 | Prohibition against killing a carrier pigeon.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No person who is not the owner thereof, shall shoot, kill, or maim an Antwerp or homing pigeon, commonly known as "carrier" pigeon, nor shall such person entrap, catch, or detain a carrier pigeon, provided it has the name of the owner stamped upon its wing or tail, or has a band with the owner's name, initial, or number on its leg.

Section 959.19 | Prohibition against servicing mare in public street.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No owner of a stallion or jack or the agent of such owner, shall permit it to serve a mare within thirty feet of a public street or alley in a municipal corporation.

Section 959.20 | Use of certain devices on work animals prohibited.

• Effective: July 24, 1986
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 797 - 116th General Assembly

As used in this section:

(A) "Work animal" includes a horse, pony, mule, donkey, mare, ox, bull, gelding, or other animal used or intended to be used for a work purpose.

(B) "Work purpose" means the performance by a work animal of some work or labor, including showing, performing, or being used in any exhibition, show, circus, rodeo, or similar use.

(C) "Owner" includes any person, firm, association, or corporation owning or having a proprietary interest in or possession, custody, or charge of a work animal.

No person shall directly or indirectly or by aiding, abetting, or permitting the doing thereof put, place, fasten, use, or fix upon or to any work animal used or readied for use for a work purpose, twisted wire snaffles, unpadded bucking straps, unpadded flank straps, electric or other prods, or similar devices.

The commission or performance of any act prohibited by this section is the act of the owner of the work animal upon or to which such act was done.

Section 959.21 | Sexual conduct with an animal.

• Effective: March 31, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 24 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Animal" means a nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian, either dead or alive.

(2) "Offense" means a violation of this section or an attempt, in violation of section 2923.02 of the Revised Code, to violate this section.

(3) "Officer" has the same meaning as in section 959.132 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Sexual conduct" means either of the following committed for the purpose of sexual gratification:

(a) Any act done between a person and animal that involves contact of the penis of one and the vulva of the other, the penis of one and the penis of the other, the penis of one and the anus of the other, the mouth of one and the penis of the other, the mouth of one and the anus of the other, the vulva of one and the vulva of the other, the mouth of one and the vulva of the other, any other contact between a reproductive organ of one and a reproductive organ of the other, or any other insertion of a reproductive organ of one into an orifice of the other;

(b) Without a bona fide veterinary or animal husbandry purpose to do so, the insertion, however slight, of any part of a person's body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal, anal, or reproductive opening of an animal.

(B) No person shall knowingly engage in sexual conduct with an animal or knowingly possess, sell, or purchase an animal with the intent that it be subjected to sexual conduct.

(C) No person shall knowingly organize, promote, aid, or abet in the conduct of an act involving any sexual conduct with an animal.

Section 959.99 | Violation; penalties.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 164 (GA 134), House Bill 281 (GA 134)

(A) Whoever violates section 959.18 or 959.19 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates section 959.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the value of the animal killed or the injury done amounts to three hundred dollars or more, whoever violates section 959.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(C) Whoever violates section 959.03, 959.06, division (C) of section 959.09, 959.12, or 959.17 or division (A) of section 959.15 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(D) Whoever violates division (A) of section 959.13 or section 959.21 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. In addition, the court may order the offender to forfeit the animal or livestock and may provide for its disposition, including, but not limited to, the sale of the animal or livestock. If an animal or livestock is forfeited and sold pursuant to this division, the proceeds from the sale first shall be applied to pay the expenses incurred with regard to the care of the animal from the time it was taken from the custody of the former owner. The balance of the proceeds from the sale, if any, shall be paid to the former owner of the animal.

(E)(1) Whoever violates division (B) or (E) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and a felony of the fifth degree on each subsequent offense.

(2) Whoever violates division (C) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.

(3) Whoever violates section 959.01 of the Revised Code or division (D) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the first degree on each subsequent offense.

(4) Whoever violates division (F) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.

(5) Whoever violates division (G) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(6)(a) A court may order a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code to forfeit to an impounding agency, as defined in section 959.132 of the Revised Code, any or all of the companion animals in that person's ownership or care. The court also may prohibit or place limitations on the person's ability to own or care for any companion animals for a specified or indefinite period of time.

(b) A court may order a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (A) of section 959.13 or section 959.131 of the Revised Code to reimburse an impounding agency for the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the agency for the care of an animal or livestock that the agency impounded as a result of the investigation or prosecution of the violation, provided that the costs were not otherwise paid under section 959.132 of the Revised Code.

(7) If a court has reason to believe that a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 or 959.21 of the Revised Code has a mental or emotional disorder that contributed to the violation, the court may impose as a community control sanction or as a condition of probation a requirement that the offender undergo psychological evaluation or counseling. The court shall order the offender to pay the costs of the evaluation or counseling.

(F) Whoever violates section 959.14 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the first degree on each subsequent offense.

(G) Whoever violates section 959.05 or 959.20 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(H) Whoever violates section 959.16 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree for a first offense and a felony of the third degree on each subsequent offense.

(I) Whoever violates division (B) or (C) of section 959.15 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony and shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated February 9, 2023 at 8:56 AM