CINCINNATI — Workers at Cincinnati Animal CARE are celebrating a brand new ruling handed down by the Supreme Court docket of Ohio.
The ruling, handed down Wednesday, clarifies the definition of the state’s animal cruelty regulation. This reversed the willpower by the Eighth District Court docket of Appeals that felony-level instances solely utilized to pets that “obtained care”.
“Previous to this regulation coming into impact, the one animals that individuals could possibly be charged for a felony for cruelty in opposition to was owned canine,” mentioned Beth Ward, Chief Canine Warden of Hamilton County.
The State Supreme Court docket dominated the regulation applies to all canine and cats, together with strays.
“This can be a huge win,” Ward mentioned.
Ward says this new ruling may assist forestall roadblocks with charging animal abusers.
“There are sometimes instances that we’re unable to actually transfer ahead, as a result of the canine, and now cat, may be unowned,” Ward mentioned.
Ward says their shelter typically comes throughout abused strays, however they are not capable of do a lot about it legally.
For instance, she referenced an incident from final week, the place somebody threw a canine over the fence at Cincinnati Animal CARE.
The canine was later adopted, in response to Cincinnati Animal CARE.
“This time we’ll be capable of transfer ahead with a felony, whether or not we now have an proprietor, or if we now have an animal with out an proprietor,” Ward mentioned.
Ward says she plans to fulfill with county prosecutors this week to debate the following steps for safeguarding stray animals.
She’s hopeful it would deliver down the variety of abused strays that come to their shelter.
“Abuse of any animal is fallacious and we might be holding folks accountable to the fullest extent of the regulation,” Ward mentioned.
Ward says they’re nonetheless on the lookout for the one who threw a canine over the fence at their shelter.
Anybody with nameless ideas or data is requested to contact her immediately at B.Ward@cincycare.org or by calling the shelter at 513-541-7387.
