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Impacting Ohio Legislation

April 6th Akron City Law Changes

With the only two Humane Officers in Summit County, PHSGA officers are responsible for enforcing state, county, and city animal law. Led by Sgt. Kris Beitzel of the Akron Police Department, our two organizations pushed for stronger legislation in the City of Akron to protect animals and on April 6th, 2015, Akron City passed a new ordinance changing the law surrounding animal cruelty and neglect. These new laws are a step in the right direction for animal protection, and we are working to enact similar bills throughout Summit County. Ohio State Law concerning animal cruelty can be found here, Ohio Revised Code . Each county, as well as city, can have different ordinances surrounding animal law. Changes to the current Akron City Law include,

92.51 NEGLECT OF ANIMALS

• An animal must be kept in a sanitary place that has no accumulations of feces, other waste, foul odor, or insect or rodent infestation

• An animal must be brought indoors during a heat or cold advisory, or severe weather warning

• An animal must be provided the following:

o Clean drinking water at all times o Suitable and sufficient quality and quantity of food

o Food and water receptacles that are kept clean and disinfected o Necessary veterinary care

o Shelter from the elements (heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, excessive direct sunlight) that meets the following requirements if housed outside:

 Shelter must be suitable for the species, age, condition, size, and type of that animal

 Shelter must be clean, completely enclosed, and insulated with one entrance/exit secured with a flap or door

 Animal must be able to turn around freely and lie in normal positions while in shelter

 Shelter must have a solid floor raised at least two inches from the ground

 Shelter must have suitable drainage and structure cannot be within ten feet of standing water

 Animal must have access to a dry area in shelter with proper bedding of straw or similar material at all times

92.52 TETHERING ANIMALS

• Owner or caretaker of a tethered animal must adhere to these laws:

o An animal may not be tethered for more than six hours in one day, or for more than three consecutive hours with less than a one hour period between tetherings

o An animal may not be tethered overnight (between the hours of 10pm and 6am)

o An animal may not be tethered if a heat or cold advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or by the National Weather service

o The length of the tether must be at least five times the length of the animal

o An animal's tether cannot allow the animal to touch the fence or cross a property line or cross onto public property

o An animal's tether must be attached to a proper collar (not allowed to attach to a pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type collar or if the collar is unsafe or not properly fitted)

o An animal's tether must not cause injury or entanglement

o An animal's tether must be made of a material that is suitable for the animal's size and weight, and does not cause any unnecessary discomfort to the animal

o An animal may not be left home alone while tethered

Please contact the Summit County Humane Officers or your local police department with any additional questions

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