[PyrNet-L] Legislation/Ohio H.B. #108

[Kshoffman@aol.com]

Husband watched a local program this morning debating the merits of proposed 
Ohio House Bill 108.  There have apparently been more revisions (some pretty 
important ones) that don't appear in the version on their web page for 
pending legislation.

<A HREF="http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=123_HB_108">Laws, 
Acts, and Legislation</A> 
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=123_HB_108

There is supposedly a lot of sympathy and backing for H.B.108 in Ohio.  It 
would make it illegal for dogs and cats to be outside 24 hrs a day.  I don't 
know how they propose to enforce this, but allegedly as proposed (and as 
discussed on this program) the first offense warrants jail time.  The 
discussed impetus was to draw a more clear delineation on the expected 
treatment and maintenance of companion animals versus livestock.

On this program (nor in last revised copy of the bill I have), no mention was 
made for any special exceptions, i.e. for working dogs such as LGDs 
(livestock guardian dogs) or herders.  Husband gathered from the discussion 
on program today and most recent revisions "outside" was to include even any 
type of shelter that did not have close to the same 
heating/cooling/ventilation, etc. that a home dwelling would. This is 
apparently reflected in the most recent revisions, so is not in the revision 
up on their web site.  They have done away with the wording that stated what 
specific "natural barriers" or "vegetation" (trees for example) would serve 
as shelter from wind, heat, cold.  The ventilation issue in the new revision 
apparently very clearly excludes any type of artificial structure that would 
not be considered habitable by humans (barns, sheds, garages, etc.)

One opponent on the program stated that the proposed wording of the bill 
makes no distinctions in penalty for an owner whose dog is primarily 
maintained "outside" and an individual who shoots or burns a dog.

What's everyone think about this?

Kelley Hoffman
kshoffman@aol.com