Senate Bill #221 has been introduced to the Ohio legislature.  It can be
viewed at
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=124_SB_221
 
The underlined parts outline proposed changes to current statutes.  The
summary is
 
>To amend sections 109.73, 959.99, 1717.06, and 2151.421 and to enact
>sections 959.131, 959.132, and 959.133 of the Revised Code to prohibit
>specified acts with respect to a companion animal, to establish a
>procedure for the care of an impounded companion animal during the
>pendency of charges against a person who violates the prohibition,
>to require training for humane agents, to increase the penalty for
>committing certain offenses against animals if the commission of the
>offense also involves criminal trespass, and to establish requirements
>concerning the reporting by certain authorities of abuse or neglect of
>animals or children.
 
I have not had a chance to fully read and digest this, but one section
reads:
 
>"Companion animal" means any animal that is kept inside a residential
>dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept. "Companion
>animal" does not include livestock.
 
I would prefer it says "any dog, cat or ferret regardless..."
Still, it is much better than what is currently in force in Ohio.  For
example, recently a young boy's dog was shot by a neighbor for wandering
onto his property.  The dog was not being aggressive towards the man or
any other animals.  This man had shot another dog on his property a
couple years ago.  The authorities are not sure if he can be charged with
anything.
 
I urge other Ohioans to check this out and urge their representatives to
support it.
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
[Posted in FML issue 3674]