Bill in Ohio would raise penalties for animal abuse
Senate Bill 64, introduced in February by Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), would upgrade multiple animal cruelty offenses to a greater charge and require judges to impose the maximum prison term for offenders. The bill applies to companion animals, which are defined in state law as any animal that is kept inside someone's residence, as well as any dog or cat.
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'As an attorney, and fellow dog owner, it is difficult for me to objectively view the current criminal punishments for these acts of animal cruelty and be satisfied,' Cutrona said at the bill's first hearing last month. 'Dogs, cats or any other pets for that matter are the backbone and foundation of our families and the law should reflect that.'
Although state law currently classifies knowingly committing an act of cruelty to a companion animal as a first-degree misdemeanor on a first offense, the bill would upgrade the charge to a fifth-degree felony. It also upgrades negligently committing an act of cruelty to a companion animal from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor.
Similarly, the charge for dog kennel owners or workers who knowingly commit an act of cruelty against a pet would rise from a fifth-degree felony to a third-degree felony. For kennel employees who negligently commit an act of cruelty, the bill would upgrade the penalty from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony.
The legislation would also require courts to impose the maximum sentence for offenders convicted of an animal cruelty charge. For example, under Ohio law, a third-degree felony is punishable by nine to 36 months in prison. If a kennel worker was convicted of or pleaded guilty to knowingly committing an act of cruelty against a dog – a third-degree felony – the court would be required to sentence the offender to the maximum term of 36 months in prison.
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NBC4 reached out to multiple criminal justice reform organizations for their viewpoint on the bill, but they either did not respond or said they did not have a stance on the legislation at this time.
Under current state law, felony animal abuse offenders cannot own or reside in a residence with certain animals for three years after their release from prison, or after their imposed punishment is complete. The current prohibition includes dogs older than 12 weeks old who have not been fixed, and any 'dangerous' dog. The bill would change this part of the law and apply the prohibition to all companion animals.
In support of the bill, Cutrona cited a 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University that found people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans.
'It is my strong belief, along with countless other Ohioans, that the act of committing violent, abusive crimes against companion animals should be subject to increased criminal punishments,' Cutrona said.
SB 64 was assigned to the Judiciary Committee, where it awaits opponent and proponent testimony. For the full list of charges that would be affected by the bill, see the document below.
Bill-analysis-for-Senate-Bill-64Download
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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