PETITION TARGET: Senator Nathan H. Manning
A man in Wooster, Ohio confessed to killing 17 cats — including kittens only days old — with a homemade gas chamber. He was convicted of five counts of cruelty to companion animals and one count of petty theft. His sentence? Six months of probation, according to local news.
A new state bill backed by Senator Alessandro Cutrona would elevate several animal cruelty offenses — including the one above — to more serious charges and mandate judges to issue the maximum allowable prison terms.
“It is my strong belief, along with countless other Ohioans, that the act of committing violent, abusive crimes against companion animals should be subject to increased criminal punishments,” Cutrona said.
Senate Bill 64 pertains to companion animals — legally defined as any animal kept in a home, along with all cats and dogs.
Not only would the legislation raise the severity of charges for individuals accused of animal cruelty, but would further increase the seriousness of charges for kennel workers or kennel owners.
Also, felony animal abusers would not be allowed to have or live with any companion animals for three years.
Seventeen lives were taken — some just days old — and six months of probation is woefully inadequate to be considered justice for innocent animals. It’s time to send a clear message that animal abuse will never be tolerated.
Sign our petition urging the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair in Ohio to support this legislation to ensure that animal cruelty offenses are taken seriously and abusers are held fully accountable under the law.
