Justice for Leonidas: Strengthening Ohio’s Animal Cruelty Laws

The tragic death of Leonidas, a dog from Warren, Ohio, is another painful reminder of why stronger protections for animals are urgently needed.

According to reports, Leonidas was found 30 pounds underweight and later pronounced dead. His owner, 40-year-old Richard Sanek, has been arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty. At the time of the arrest, two other dogs were removed from the home and taken to safety.

While Ohio’s Goddard’s Law made certain acts of animal cruelty a felony, cases like Leonidas’s show that more must be done to hold abusers accountable and prevent them from harming animals again.

That’s why Senate Bill 64 (S.B. 64) is so important. If passed, S.B. 64 would:

• Increase penalties for violating companion animal cruelty offenses.

• Prohibit convicted felony animal abusers from owning a companion animal under certain circumstances.

By strengthening our laws, Ohio can better protect pets and send a clear message that cruelty will not be tolerated.

Take Action

Contact your legislators today and urge them to support S.B. 64. Together, we can honor Leonidas’s memory and protect countless other animals from suffering.