Ohio
House Bill 55
Revision for Animal Cruelty


House Bill 55 is a revision of Senate Bill 221 and House Bill 418. The purpose of House Bill 55 is to increase the Ohio penalties of convicted abusers. Animal cruelty is classified as the mutilation, poisoning, torturing, beating, killing, or any other inhuman acts towards animals. If passed, the conviction would jump from a second degree misdemeanor to a first degree misdemeanor. In accordance to House Bill 55, the offender would sever a term of probation under court order. If animals resided with the convicted, a protection law would be implemented. The bill would also like to provide a psychiatric evaluation for juveniles who have been convicted. The evaluation would be able to determine if counseling services are required. We, the undersigned urge the state of Ohio to review and pass House Bill 55.