I recently had the following information emailed to me from Mary O’Connor-Shaver who has played a key part in initiatives to ban puppy mill auctions and puppy mills in Ohio:
Please join advocates from across the state for the second annual Companion Animal Lobby Day in Columbus on Thursday, March 29 from 10-2 PM!
Our second annual Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day will be action packed – a briefing, luncheon reception, and a rally on the sidewalks in front of The Ohio Statehouse, all of which will provide the perfect grassroots opportunity for us to urge state legislators to recognize animal cruelty, dog auctions, puppy mills and breed-discrimination legislation as serious issues and take action to effectively address them in Ohio. And – you don’t need to be an expert in lobbying to take part!
There are many new legislators in Ohio as well as seasoned veterans, who do not yet know that Ohio is only one of four states which does not have a first offense felony animal cruelty law. Ohio is also home to the only dog auction east of the Mississippi which attracts buyers and sellers from 15 states, many of whom have long standing, repeat violations of the Animal Welfare Act or have been convicted of animal cruelty.
Come meet with volunteers at Booth 401 during the Columbus Pet Expo (March 23-25) to learn more about 2012 Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day!
THE DETAILS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Face to face meetings in a relaxed, informal setting are one of the best ways to ensure that legislators hear your message and take action – and you don’t need to be an expert or have any experience in lobbying to take part! We will provide you with everything you need! For just a few hours of your time, you can make a tremendous difference. So please grab a friend and join us! All Ohio residents are invited!
Here are the basic details of the day:
8:30 A: Registration Check-in – The Ohio Statehouse, Entrance to Ohio Atrium
(Registrants will receive information and lobbying packets.)
9:45 A: Welcome – The Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Atrium
Jean Keating
Founder, Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates
(Registrants will receive information and lobbying packets.)
9:45 A: Welcome – The Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Atrium
Jean Keating
Founder, Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates
10:00 A: Overview on Ohio’s Companion Animal Bills – The Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Atrium
John Bell, Esq.
Lead Attorney for Plaintiffs in Class Action Lawsuit Against Donald Dutiel, ‘Wagon Wheel Ranch’ (New Lexington, OH)
John Bell, Esq.
Lead Attorney for Plaintiffs in Class Action Lawsuit Against Donald Dutiel, ‘Wagon Wheel Ranch’ (New Lexington, OH)
10:30 A: Lobby 101 – The Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Atrium
Mark McGinnis, Esq
Mark McGinnis, Esq
McTigue & McGinnis, LLC (Voted by Columbus Monthly as a 2012 ‘Rising Star’ in Political Law)
11:30 A: Luncheon reception with your state legislators – The Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Atrium
(Reception will include presentation of ‘Best in Show’ awards to individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to Ohio’s companion animals in 2011)
1:30 P: Rally for Ohio’s Companion Animals – Sidewalks in Front of The Ohio Statehouse
1:30 P: Rally for Ohio’s Companion Animals – Sidewalks in Front of The Ohio Statehouse
PREVIEW OF LEGISLATION WHICH WILL BE INCLUDED ON OHIO COMPANION ANIMAL LOBBY DAY!
2012 Citizens-Initiated Statute, Ohio Dog Auctions Act – To enact Section 955.54 of the Ohio Revised Code to make it unlawful for any person to auction, as defined in R. C. 4707.01, or raffle a dog within Ohio for any purpose.
HB 25 (Rep. Combs) – To amend sections 959.99, 2152.19, 2903.213, 2903.214, 2919.26, 3113.31, 4732.141, and 4757.33 and to enact section 4731.284 of the Revised Code to revise the penalties and sentencing provisions regarding violations of the cruelty to animals statutes and to include the protection of companion animals in temporary protection orders, domestic violence protection orders, anti-stalking protection orders, and related protection orders.
HB 108 (Reps. Gerberry and Hagan) – To amend sections 959.131, 959.132, and 959.99 of the Revised Code to specifically prohibit an owner, manager, or employee of a kennel of dogs from committing cruel treatment of a companion animal, to give a prosecutor who prosecutes an owner, manager, or employee of a kennel of dogs who commits cruel treatment of a companion animal discretion in prosecuting the owner, manager, or employee for the offense, and to remove certain language regarding the negligent treatment of companion animals.
HB 289 (Rep. Goyal) – To enact section 2907.13 of the Revised Code to make bestiality a criminal offense.
HB 290 (Rep. Garland) – To amend section 2903.13 of the Revised Code to specify that an assault against a dog warden, deputy dog warden, humane agent, or animal control officer is a felony of the fifth degree.
HB 300 (Reps. Goyal and Ruhl) – To amend sections 121.40, 955.261, 2913.01, 2913.02, 2921.321, and 3701.04, to enact sections 5502.281 and 5502.282, and to repeal section 121.404 of the Revised Code to provide protections for search and rescue dogs and to make changes to the law regarding emergency volunteers.
MORE INFORMATION ON EFFORTS ADDRESSING OHIO‘S COMPANION ANIMALS!
If you haven’t done so already, we invite you to visit the websites of these groups who are working hard to reintroduce and pass companion animal bills/ballot initiatives during Ohio’s 129th General Assembly.
Thanks everyone for serving as a strong voice for the animals! Watch for more details on 2012 Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day in the upcoming weeks!
Mary O’Connor-Shaver
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.ColumbusTopDogs.com
http://www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com
http://www.ThoughtsFurPaws.com
http://www.ColumbusTopDogs.com
http://www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com
http://www.ThoughtsFurPaws.com
http://www.LostPetUSA.net
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals – http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
I wrote the petition “Who’s Watching Ohio’s Vets? Ask Ohio Governor Kasich Who’s Watching Your Pet’s Vet.” and wanted to see if you could help by posting this.
Our goal is to reach 1,000 signatures and we need more support. You can read more about Ohio, veterinary oversight and sign the petition here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/who-s-watching-ohio-s-vets-ask-ohio-governor-kasich-who-s-watching-your-pet-s-vet