Ohio; Amend Vicious Dog Laws to Make Their Owners Held Responsible!

  • by: Sue Lee
  • recipient: Ohio Government and Law Officials

Please sign and share this petition everywhere possible in an effort to make our voices heard in changing some of the laws in Ohio regarding vicious dogs and their attacks on humans and other pets. The county prosecutor and commissioner is proposing such changes regarding the laws and penalties of vicious attacks that would make their owners held accountable. No one wants to consider harming an animal but dogs of any breed should not be free to harm others in the neighborhood, often but not always due to owner neglect or inappropriate care. Implementing changes to the vicious dog laws and penalties could help to put an end to the numerous attacks by some aggressive dogs in the area.

Dogs should be loving pets that are loyal and protective of their home and families but certainly not a threat of deadly attacks. Just recently, a woman by the name of Klonda Richey was mauled to death by two of the neighbor's dogs. Prior to the incident, she reported how dangerous she felt the dogs to be but nothing was done against the animals or their owners; there was no documented proof of past bites or attacks on humans but Ms. Richey somehow felt threatened and in danger of these two animals.

Because there was no history, there was no felony or homicide indictments placed against the dogs and their owners, even though they viciously mauled this young woman to her last breath. According to news release, the grand jury heard from 18 people, including the victim's friends, contract workers, neighbors, police officers, the coroner, a veterinarian and other experts. After this trial and incident, Officials are hopeful of making changes under the city's ordinances.

Some of their efforts includes offering a training seminar next month for local law enforcement, animal shelter workers and local prosecutors to improve the response and investigation of animal complaints. Other amendments to the laws and penalties regarding vicious dog attacks includes specific language that refers to a nuisance, dangerous or vicious dog be changed to remove the "without provocation" language from the statutes. The language would also include dogs that cause injury or death to any companion animal, not just another dog.

Officials are also asking that a registry of nuisance, dangerous or vicious dogs be compiled along with any complaints made by the public and others so it can be accessible to local law enforcement, dog wardens, humane societies and other officials. Other possible provisions include:

  • Provide new fines and other criminal penalties for those dog owners who willfully evade service of complaints made against their dogs.              
  • Add new criminal penalties for anyone who owns or keeps a dog that kills or causes serious physical harm to another person.

Changes need to be made so that there will be no further tragic accidents involving dog attacks. Most people would like to think they are safe in their own neighborhood that has dogs for pets. With the enhancement of current laws and further training, the community could be a safer place to live without further incidents of dog bites and vicious attacks.

Please sign and share this petition everywhere possible in an effort to make our voices heard in changing some of the laws in Ohio regarding vicious dogs and their attacks on humans and other pets. The county prosecutor and commissioner is proposing such changes regarding the laws and penalties of vicious attacks that would make the owners held accountable. No one wants consider harming an animal but dogs should not be free to harm others in the neighborhood, often but not always due to owner neglect or inappropriate care. Implementing changes to the vicious dog laws and penalties could help to put an end to the numerous attacks by some aggressive dogs in the area.

 

Ohio Government and Law Officials - Please ensure to make the proposed changes to the vicious dog laws so that communities can feel safer when it comes to dog attacks. There needs to be more responsibility, training of animals and their owners and accountability for aggressive dog behavior. Amending the current laws to reflect the issues within this petition with stricter accountability and penalties would help to put an end to the dangers of dog bites and attacks on humans and other pets.

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