Category Archives: Ohio

Ohio HB 14 passes Senate

Posted on January 31, 2012 by | 4 Comments

Ohio HB 14 has passed the Senate!

Because the bill was amended in the Senate committee, HB 14 now goes back to the House (or a conference committee) so that the House can approve the amendments. If and when the House approves the Senate version, the bill will go to the governor.

We do not know at this time where the bill is going to land in the House. However, you may wish to contact the governor, in anticipation of the bill reaching his desk, and ask him to sign HB 14 into law: http://governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

Wondering how your Senator voted on HB 14?
The Senate vote was 27-5.
Voted FOR HB 14: Balderson, Brown, Burke, Cafaro, Coley, Eklund, Faber, Gentile, Hite, Jones, Jordan, Kearney, LaRose, Lehner, Manning, Obhof, Oelslager, Sawyer, Schiavoni, Seitz, Skindell, Smith, Tavares, Turner, Wagoner, Widener, Niehaus.
Voted AGAINST HB 14: Bacon, Beagle, Hughes, Patton, and Schaffer.

Wondering how your House Representative voted on HB 14?
The House vote was 69-29.
Voted FOR HB 14: Adams R., Amstutz, Ashford, Balderson, Beck, Blair, Blessing, Brenner, Bubp, Budish, Burke, Butler, Carey, Celeste, Combs, Conditt, Damschroder, Derickson, Dovilla, Duffey, Fedor, Fende, Gardner, Garland,Gentile, Gerberry, Gonzales, Goodwin, Goyal, Grossman, Hackett, Hagan C., Hayes, Hottinger, Huffman, Johnson, Kozlowski, Landis, Letson, Luckie, Lundy, Maag, Mallory, McClain, McGregor, McKenney, Milkovich, Murray, O’Brien, Okey, Patmon, Peterson, Phillips, Pillich, Rosenberger, Ruhl, Schuring, Sears, Slaby, Sprague, Stautberg, Stebelton, Stinziano, Szollosi, Uecker, Wachtmann, Winburn, Young, Batchelder
Voted AGAINST HB 14: Adams J., Anielski, Antonio, Baker, Barnes, Boose, Buchy, Carney, Clyde, DeGeeter, Driehaus, Foley, Hagan R., Hall, Heard, Henne, Hollington, Martin, Mecklenborg, Newbold, Ramos, Reece, Roegner, Slesnick, Sykes, Thompson, Weddington, Williams, Yuko

Tracking page for OH HB 14: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

All posts about Ohio HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Lima, OH: Council resolution opposes state-level repeal of BSL

Posted on January 24, 2012 by | 1 Comment

The Lima, OH, city dog ordinance defines “pit bulls” as vicious dogs, using the same language that Ohio state law currently uses. Ohio HB 14, which has a good chance of passing, would repeal this breed-specific language in the state law.

However, even if HB 14 were to pass, Lima is under no obligation to repeal their own BSL in their local ordinances. Therefore, Lima council’s newly-passed resolution to oppose HB 14 is entirely unnecessary. They can continue to discriminate against “pit bull” owners within their own city limits, as long as their ordinance remains in place.

One of the councilmembers, Kurt Neeper, sees HB 14 as support for repeal of Lima’s BSL. After all, if the state feels that its breed-specific “vicious dog” definition is not working, Lima’s BSL is probably not working either. Neeper suggests that if HB 14 passes and the state-level BSL is repealed, he will push for Lima to repeal its own BSL. We suspect the rest of the council felt the need to pass a resolution against HB 14 because HB 14′s passage would force Lima council to reconsider the validity of their own discriminatory law.

Lima City Council dogged by pit bull issue

January 23, 2012 9:12 PM
Bart Mills

LIMA — [...] Council voted 6-1 to pass a resolution opposing an effort in the state Senate to eliminate dogs belonging “to a breed commonly known as a pit bull dog” from the definition of vicious dog contained in the Ohio Revised Code.

[...] Councilman Kurt Neeper was the sole vote opposing the [resolution]. He said he voted in favor of the city’s current law, but has since studied the issue and changed his mind.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/24/12 from http://www.limaohio.com/articles/dog-78221-pit-bull.html

Please be respectful and informative when writing city officials. Tell them why you support Ohio HB 14 and demonstrate how Lima can become safer and more humane by removing the breed-specific language in the local ordinance.
Contact info for city officials:
Sally Clemans, Council Clerk, sally.clemans@cityhall.lima.oh.us
John Nixon, Council President, jmnixon@wcoil.com
Kurt Neeper, kurt.neeper@gmail.com (supports repeal of BSL)
Sam McLean, smclean@allstate.com
Jesse Lowe, jjlowe@drugsbringdeath.us
Tom Tebben, ttebben@woh.rr.com
Teresa Adams, 518adams@bright.net
Derry Glenn, (419) 221-5107 Option 6
Paige Townsend, ptownsend62@hotmail.com
David Adams, dsadams@wcoil.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
sally.clemans@cityhall.lima.oh.us; jmnixon@wcoil.com; kurt.neeper@gmail.com; smclean@allstate.com; jjlowe@drugsbringdeath.us; ttebben@woh.rr.com; 518adams@bright.net; ptownsend62@hotmail.com; dsadams@wcoil.com

Lima’s vicious dog ordinance: http://www.limapolice.com/City%20of%20Lima%20Ordinance%20-%20Vicious%20Dogs.pdf

Lima was in the news last year because their vicious dog ordinance was causing too much of a burden on the local court system. http://stopbsl.com/2011/05/31/lima-oh-pit-bull-law-changes-coming/

Thanks to Amber for the heads up about Lima!

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Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

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Ohio HB 14 still on Senate Calendar

Posted on January 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Edit 1/31/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

Ohio HB 14 is on the Senate rules and reference calendar for this week. We are hopeful that the Senate will discuss and vote on HB 14 during one of this week’s two sessions. They did not vote on HB 14 last week.

If you are an Ohio resident, now is the time to contact your state senator and ask him or her to support HB 14! Find your senator here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

All posts about Ohio HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

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Village of Amsterdam, OH: BSL passed

Posted on January 17, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Ohio currently defines “pit bulls” as “vicious dogs.” Amsterdam appears to have written this definition into their own ordinance. Therefore, even if Ohio HB 14 passes and the state’s definition of “vicious” changes, Amsterdam’s breed-specific ordinance will remain in place.

Amsterdam is a tiny village. Village phone number: (740) 543-4393

Amsterdam enacts ‘vicious dog’ rules

By Eric Minor
Posted: 9:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

AMSTERDAM, Ohio — Owners of pit bulls and other so-called “vicious dogs” will have to register their pets with the Village of Amsterdam under tough new laws passed Monday night. [...]Dog owners must prove they are carrying $500,000 in liability insurance on their dogs.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/17/12 from http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/amsterdam-enacts-vicious-dog-rules/nGNwZ/

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Posted in Ohio, BSL Passed

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Ohio HB 14 on Senate Calendar for Jan 18

Posted on January 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Edit 1/31/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

Ohio HB 14 is on the Senate rules and reference calendar for Jan 18. We are hopeful that the Senate will discuss and vote on HB 14 during this week’s session.

If you are an Ohio resident, now is the time to contact your state senator and ask him or her to support HB 14! Find your senator here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

All posts about Ohio HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

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Ohio HB 14 moves forward; next step, vote by full Senate

Posted on January 10, 2012 by | 7 Comments

Edit 1/31/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

The Senate Judiciary Committee gave HB 14 a “thumbs up” today by voting it out of committee. This is a major hurdle cleared. Next up, the bill must be voted on by the full Senate. Although a vote date is not yet set, it could be as early as next week!

If you live in Ohio, please contact your own Ohio state senator now and tell him or her that you support HB 14 and you want them to do the same! Find your senator here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

You may also wish to ask the Senate President, Thomas Neihaus (SD14@senate.state.oh.us), to bring HB 14 to the floor for a vote.

Continued communication with Ohio Senators will ensure that the bill does not become forgotten, stall out, and die. It’s critical to keep the momentum going at this stage, because this is not a done deal yet.

This is taking forever. Where ARE we in the process?

Because the bill was amended slightly in the Senate Judiciary Committee, if HB 14 is approved by the Senate, the bill must go back to the House (either the full House, or a House Conference Committee) for another vote. And after that, to the governor for approval.

Here is an overview of HB 14′s past and (hopefully) future.
1. HB 14 was introduced. DONE.
2. HB 14 was approved by a House committee. DONE.
3. HB 14 was passed by the House. DONE.
4. HB 14 was sent to the Senate. DONE
5. HB 14 was passed by a Senate committee. DONE TODAY.
6. HB 14 still needs to be passed by the Senate.
7. HB 14 still needs to be passed by the House or a House committee.
8. HB 14 still needs to be signed by the governor.
9. HB 14 will become law and Ohio’s statewide BSL will be repealed.

What is HB 14?

HB 14 is a comprehensive dog control bill that would repeal Ohio’s statewide BSL. HB 14 has gotten further in the process than similar attempts in previous years, and has the support of the Ohio Dog Wardens Association, so we have high hopes for its success. HB 14 passed the House in June.

The full text of HB 14 as reported from the House can be read here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

What does HB 14 mean for Ohio?

Ohio state law currently declares ALL “pit bulls” to be “vicious dogs,” without exception. The state imposes restrictions on keeping vicious dogs/”pit bulls,” such as liability insurance and special containment rules. HB 14 revises Ohio’s current dangerous/vicious dog law significantly. It also removes the “pit bull” from automatic “vicious dog” designation.

Ohio’s state-level dog laws apply throughout the entire state, even in counties, cities, and towns. Some Ohio cities and towns do not have dog laws, and only enforce state-level laws. In cases where a city or town regulates its dogs via state dog laws, those municipalities’ laws will change along with the state’s law if HB 14 passes.

However, many counties and cities within the state have their own set of dog ordinances in their municipal code. Those laws will not change if HB 14 passes. HB 14 does not require counties or municipalities to change their laws.

Therefore, most cities and towns with dog laws that are breed-specific will still have BSL even if HB 14 passes. Because many cities and towns copied the breed-specific state law when writing their own dog laws, we expect Ohio to have a higher-than-average concentration of municipalities with BSL for some time. It will take time and individual attention to get BSL repealed in each of these municipalities.

Please be aware that HB 14 does not mean the end of BSL in Ohio—especially if you are moving into or traveling in the state with your pet dogs. HB 14 is a VERY positive step forward for Ohio, but there is much work yet to be done.

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Ohio HB 14: Senate committee hearing and possible vote on Jan 10

Posted on January 6, 2012 by | 3 Comments

Edit 1/31/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing and possible vote on HB 14 on Tuesday, January 10 at 3:15 PM! North Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, Senate Building, Capitol Square, Columbus, OH.

If you live in Ohio, please attend the hearing to physically show your support for the repeal of statewide BSL. Please also contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and your own Ohio state senator and tell them that you support HB 14!

HB 14 is a comprehensive dog control bill that would repeal Ohio’s statewide BSL. HB 14 has gotten further in the process than similar attempts in previous years, and has the support of the Ohio Dog Wardens Association, so we have high hopes for its success. HB 14 passed the House in June and has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to pass HB 14 out of committee:
SD02@senate.state.oh.us; SD22@senate.state.oh.us; SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD12@senate.state.oh.us; SD09@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD27@senate.state.oh.us; SD29@senate.state.oh.us; SD33@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD08@senate.state.oh.us

Link to Senate Judiciary Committee:
http://www.ohiosenate.gov/committees/standing/detail/judiciary.html

Find your state senator using the legislator locator:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

The full text of HB 14 as reported from the House can be read here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Xenia, OH: BSL / ban kept in revised animal ordinance

Posted on December 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Xenia, OH, has passed a new animal ordinance. Rather than remove the breed-specific language that was already in the old ordinance, the new animal ordinance has clarified the language and increased the restrictions for owners of certain breeds. However, there’s also a twist—due to conflicting language in the ordinance, it appears Xenia may actually have a breed ban, not restrictions.

Section 604 of the ordinance defines and describes the following breeds: American Bulldog, Canary Dog, and pit bull terrier (Am Staff, APBT, Staff Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, mixes of these, and look-alikes). It also defines “vicious dog” as all of the above breeds.

Section 618.02 describes the new requirements for keeping vicious dogs (including American Bulldogs, Canary Dogs, and pit bull terriers). These requirements include special registration, liability insurance, special containment, muzzling, and a limit of 3 ”vicious” dogs.

And then there’s Section 618.15. This is an old section of the code and was not changed by the recent revisions. This section bans the keeping of wild, vicious, and dangerous animals. In particular, the section bans without exception ”vicious domesticated animals.”

Although “domesticated animal” is not defined in the code, we assume it includes dogs; therefore, it seems that vicious dogs cannot be kept or owned in Xenia—to include American Bulldogs, Canary dogs, and pit bull terriers.

See the conflict? The new revisions in 618.02 increase the restrictions on ownership of vicious dogs, but 618.15 bans vicious animals/dogs.

This conflict between the sections leads us to believe that Xenia city council is unaware of the ramifications of 618.15. We also suspect that those charged with enforcing the ordinance are unaware of the ban imposed by 618.15. Although the ban probably isn’t being enforced, if you own any of the aforementioned breeds (including look-alikes and mixes) that are designated as “vicious,” we suggest that you avoid Xenia.

Read the revised ordinance for yourself: http://www.ci.xenia.oh.us/uploads/City%20Clerk%20Documents/2011%20Ordinances%20and%20Resolutions/Ord.%2011-70%20Amend%20XCO%20Chap.%20604%20and%20618%20Animals.pdf

News articles about the recent ordinance changes: http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/local/greene_county/xenia-requires-viscous-dog-registration
http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/community/dangerous-dog-registration-in-greene-co

Contact information for city officials:
Jeanne Mills, Council President, jmills@ci.xenia.oh.us
William (Bill) R. Miller, Vice President, bmiller@ci.xenia.oh.us
Marsha J. Bayless, Mayor, mbayless@ci.xenia.oh.us
John G. Caupp, jcaupp@ci.xenia.oh.us
Michael D. Engle, mengle@ci.xenia.oh.us
Dale Louderback, dlouderback@ci.xenia.oh.us
Wesley Smith, wsmith@ci.xenia.oh.us
City Clerk, (937) 376-7235, mjohnson@ci.xenia.oh.us

Email block for cut and paste: jmills@ci.xenia.oh.us; bmiller@ci.xenia.oh.us; mbayless@ci.xenia.oh.us; jcaupp@ci.xenia.oh.us; mengle@ci.xenia.oh.us; dlouderback@ci.xenia.oh.us; wsmith@ci.xenia.oh.us; mjohnson@ci.xenia.oh.us

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Posted in Ohio, BSL Passed

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Ohio HB 14: Amendments introduced, vote moved to January

Posted on December 14, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Edit 1/31/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

At the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for HB 14 yesterday, three minor amendments were introduced (see article below), and a number of people spoke or submitted written testimony in support of the bill. Because of the new amendments, the committee vote on the bill has been postponed until January.

Please continue to show your support for HB 14 by contacting committee members and asking them to vote the bill out of committee. If the bill passes committee, then it goes to the full Senate for a vote. If the Senate approves it, it has to go back to the House for another vote (because of the Senate committee amendments). We still have a ways to go, but the bill’s progress to date is encouraging.

Contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to pass HB 14 out of committee: SD02@senate.state.oh.us; SD22@senate.state.oh.us; SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD12@senate.state.oh.us; SD09@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD27@senate.state.oh.us; SD29@senate.state.oh.us; SD33@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD08@senate.state.oh.us

Find your state senator using the legislator locator: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

The full text of HB 14 as reported from the House can be read here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

End ‘pit bull’ restrictions, Ohio urged

Rules contrary to addressing problem, veterinarian tells Senate panel

BY TANYA IRWIN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

COLUMBUS — [...] Sen. Mark Wagoner (R., Ottawa Hills), the Senate Judiciary chairman, has tentatively scheduled a committee vote for January. [...]

Mr. Wagoner introduced three amendments to the bill Tuesday that don’t significantly change the bill’s intent, according to Ms. Sears. The first requires that at a court hearing, “the person who designated the dog as a nuisance dog, dangerous dog, or vicious dog has the burden of proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that the dog is a nuisance dog, dangerous dog, or vicious dog.”

The second amendment would not require rabies vaccination, spaying, and neutering criteria for dangerous-dog registration if they are medically contra-indicated. Dr. Lord said she supported this amendment. The third amendment is a series of “technical, clarifying, or conforming” tweaks to the bill’s language. [...]

Full article retrieved 12/14/11 from http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2011/12/14/End-pit-bull-restrictions-Ohio-urged.html

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Ohio HB 14: Senate committee possible vote on Dec 13

Posted on December 11, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Edit 1/31/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing and possible vote on HB 14 on December 13 at 3:15 PM! North Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, Senate Building, Capitol Square, Columbus, OH.

If you live in Ohio, please attend the hearing to physically show your support for the repeal of statewide BSL. Please also contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and your own Ohio state senator and tell them that you support HB 14!

HB 14 is a comprehensive dog control bill that would repeal Ohio’s statewide BSL. HB 14 has gotten further in the process than similar attempts in previous years, and has the support of the Ohio Dog Wardens Association, so we have high hopes for its success. HB 14 passed the House in June and has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to pass HB 14 out of committee:
SD02@senate.state.oh.us; SD22@senate.state.oh.us; SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD12@senate.state.oh.us; SD09@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD27@senate.state.oh.us; SD29@senate.state.oh.us; SD33@maild.sen.state.oh.us; SD08@senate.state.oh.us

Link to Senate Judiciary Committee:
http://www.ohiosenate.gov/committees/standing/detail/judiciary.html

Find your state senator using the legislator locator:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

The full text of HB 14 as reported from the House can be read here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

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