Ohio needs to prohibit breeders from doing surgical procedures on dogs.

OAA PROGRAM AREA: Puppy Mills

ACTION LEVEL: State

Ohio H.B. 725 would prohibit breeders from doing painful surgical procedures on dogs without pain meds, anesthesia, or a veterinarian, such as tail docking, dew claw removal, or dental procedures – in violation of current state law.  Common tools used to amputate dog’s tails include garden clippers, scissors, knives and even rubber bands. Evidently the law is not clear enough either to the breeders or to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which has not revised its rules to conform with the law.

Representatives Laura Lanese and James Hoops sponsored H.B. 725 (co-sponsors Reps. Brinkman, Carruthers, Denson, Adam Miller, Schmidt, and Tom Young) as they believe legislation is necessary to prohibit breeders from doing any form of surgical procedures on puppies and dogs without pain medication or anesthesia. Animals have been injured and died in Ohio and other states when breeders have performed surgical procedures on dogs, according to the HSUS’s 2021 Horrible Hundred report. When Ohio H.B. 506 was enacted into law in 2018, it clearly stated surgical procedures shall be formed by veterinarians. Since the breeders are not clear on the fact that they cannot, by law, perform surgical procedures on dogs, this legislation will make it clear what procedures are prohibited.

What You Can Do

Please call your State Representative and send an email, letter, or postcard to their office urging them to support the passage of Ohio House Bill 725. Share this Action Alert and fact sheet on your social media to raise awareness, educate, and encourage others to take action.

Take Action

Dear Representative ______________ ,

I respectfully urge you to support Ohio H.B. 725 which would prohibit breeders from doing painful surgical procedures on dogs without pain meds, anesthesia, or a veterinarian, such as tail docking, dew claw removal or dental procedures.

Representatives Lanese and Hoops sponsored H.B. 725 as they believe legislation is necessary to prohibit breeders from doing any form of surgical procedures on puppies and dogs without pain medication or anesthesia.  Animals have been injured and died in Ohio and other states when breeders have performed surgical procedures on dogs, according to the HSUS’s 2021 Horrible Hundred report. When Ohio H.B. 506 was enacted into law in 2018, it clearly stated surgical procedures shall be performed by veterinarians.  Since the breeders are not clear on the fact they cannot, by law, perform surgical procedures on dogs, this legislation will make it clear what procedures are prohibited. 

In summary, I ask you to support and help to pass H.B. 725. Thank you for your consideration of this issue.

Sincerely,

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