DeGraff Man Arrested on Animal Sexual Conduct Charge

By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer

An 85-year-old DeGraff man has been arrested following an investigation involving alleged sexual conduct with a dog.

According to reporting by Peak of Ohio, Curtis Cox, 85, was arrested Friday, August 28, after the Logan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Miami Street in DeGraff. A property owner reportedly contacted law enforcement after receiving an alert from security cameras located inside his garage.

Deputies reported reviewing the security footage and said it showed Cox engaging in what they described as inappropriate sexual contact with a dog. After consulting with the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office, deputies arrested Cox and transported him to the Logan County Jail. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of sexual conduct with an animal.

The charge is an accusation, and Cox is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Ohio Advocates Seek Stronger Penalties

The case comes as Ohio lawmakers consider legislation that would strengthen penalties for sexual conduct involving animals.

Senate Bill 393 would increase the offense of bestiality from a misdemeanor to a felony and expand Ohio law to address creating or possessing material depicting sexual conduct with an animal. The Ohio Senate unanimously passed the legislation on May 20, and advocates are now urging the Ohio House to advance the bill.

Cases like the one reported in Logan County highlight why animal advocates are calling for stronger consequences when animals are subjected to sexual abuse.

Take Action

1. Ohio Animal Advocates is asking Ohioans to contact their state representatives and urge them to support S.B. 393. Completing this action alert would help increase the penalties for bestiality from a misdemeanor to a felony charge.

2. Share this update and action alerts with friends and family!

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