Ohio needs to increase the penalty for animal cruelty.

OAA PROGRAM AREA: Pet Protection

ACTION LEVEL: State

Ohio Senate Bill 164 would increase penalties for those convicted of cruelty to or killing companion animals. The bill would also ban the use of gas chambers to euthanize companion animals in Ohio’s animal shelters.

There is only one county left in Ohio that uses the gas chamber to kill companion animals – Erie County. Most states have banned the use of the gas chamber, and all but one county in Ohio have destroyed their gas chamber, as animals suffer intense pain as they slowly suffocate to death (it can take over 45 minutes to kill an animal). Yet in June 2021, Erie County seized 10 friendly house cats and kittens from a hoarding situation and killed them in their gas chamber – without any attempt to contact rescues to adopt them out. It is time for Ohio to ban the use of gas chambers to kill companion animals.

Recently, in Highland Heights Ohio, a 10-month-old Yorkie puppy named Coco froze to death at the hands of her guardian’s boyfriend, who allegedly submerged the helpless dog in water and stuffed her into a freezer multiple times until she died, security footage from the horrifying incident shows. Coco’s killer then placed her lifeless body back on her doggie bed. The puppy’s devastated guardian, Helga Semaj, found her beloved companion’s corpse when she arrived back home. The cruel death of Coco is a warning of the potential escalation of violence against her guardian, Helga Semaj.

The link between domestic violence and animal abuse is well established. A 2010 survey of state domestic violence programs by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network reported that more than 40 percent of respondents could recall cases where pets had been threatened with harm, actually harmed, or killed. Increasing penalties for cruelty to companion animals could deter violence against animals and people. It is time for Ohio to increase the penalties for animal cruelty to stop animal abuse and family violence.

Ohio Senate Bill 164 passed out of the Senate in spring. We need your help in getting this important bill through the House this fall and onto the Governor’s desk to sign.

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 Senate Bill 164. Share this Action Alert on your social media to raise awareness, educate, and encourage others to take action.

Take Action

Dear Representative ______________ ,

I respectfully urge you to support S.B. 164 which would increase penalties for those convicted of cruelty to or killing companion animals and ban the use of gas chambers to euthanize companion animals in Ohio’s animal shelters.

There is only one county left in Ohio that uses the gas chamber to kill companion animals – Erie County. Most states have banned the use of the gas chamber, and all but one county in Ohio have destroyed their gas chamber, as animals suffer intense pain as they slowly suffocate to death (it can take over 45 minutes to kill an animal). Yet in June 2021, Erie County seized 10 friendly house cats and kittens from a hoarding situation and killed them in their gas chamber – without any attempt to contact rescues to adopt them out. It is time for Ohio to ban the use of gas chambers to kill companion animals.

Recently, in Highland Heights Ohio, a 10-month-old Yorkie puppy named Coco froze to death at the hands of her guardian’s boyfriend, who allegedly submerged the helpless dog in water and stuffed her into a freezer multiple times until she died, security footage from the horrifying incident shows. Coco’s killer then placed her lifeless body back on her doggie bed. The puppy’s devastated guardian, Helga Semaj, found her beloved companion’s corpse when she arrived back home. The cruel death of Coco is a warning of the potential escalation of violence against her guardian, Helga Semaj.

The link between domestic violence and animal abuse is well established. A 2010 survey of state domestic violence programs by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network reported that more than 40 percent of respondents could recall cases where pets had been threatened with harm, actually harmed, or killed. Increasing penalties for cruelty to companion animals could deter violence against animals and people. It is time for Ohio to increase the penalties for animal cruelty to help stop animal abuse and family violence.

In summary, I ask you to support and help to pass S.B. 164. Thank you for your consideration of this issue.

Sincerely,

Your name
Your address
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