COLUMBUS – Goddard’s Law was passed by the Ohio House and Senate last month and is one step away from becoming official.
Governor John Kasich is expected to sign the bill into law on Monday, June 13th in Columbus.
Goddard’s Law, or House Bill 60, makes it a felony to knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal. Named for Cleveland Fox 8′s Dick Goddard and his effort to protect pets, the bill was sponsored by Democrat Bill Patmon and Republican David Hall and championed by Amy Beichler, Executive Director of The Public Animal Welfare Society (pictured with Governor John Kasich and State Representative Bill Patmon)
Governor Kasich Scheduled to Sign Goddard’s Law
Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS Ohio) is Key Player in Passage of Animal Cruelty Legislation
COLUMBUS, Ohio
May 27, 2016
House Bill 60 or, as it is referred to in Ohio, Goddard’s Law, has passed the Ohio Senate and House and is now awaiting the formal signature of Governor John Kasich. The new law will make it a fifth-degree felony to knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal.
Amy Beichler, Executive Director of The Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS Ohio), along with Cleveland’s Fox 8 Weatherman, Dick Goddard, for whom the new law is named, have been active for over four years in pursuit of the passage of this bill. “This has been a long and hard road with many obstacles along the way” Beichler stated yesterday. “But, thanks to the efforts of concerned and caring individuals like Dick Goddard, State Representatives Bill Patmon and Dave Hall, and Ohio Senator Larry Obhof, we were able to get this extremely important piece of legislation passed for companion animals.”
The Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS Ohio), centered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a 40-year-old, nonprofit organization whose mission is to rescue and foster companion animals in an effort to find them permanent homes. Beichler, who has led the organization for over 12 years, has championed the fight for stronger punishment for animal cruelty throughout her tenure.
In addition to Goddard’s Law, which protects companion animals, “Jethro’s Bill,” which increases the penalties for killing a police dog was also included in the approved legislation. The bill would elevate the assault offense in Ohio and carry a mandatory prison sentence.
Contact:
Rick Zimmerman – Board Chairman
Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio (PAWS)
A Nonprofit Humane Society Serving the Animals & People of Northern Ohio Since 1976
www.pawsohio.org
Email: rzmarketing13@gmail.com
Cell: 440-669-7088
Fax: 216-206-0954
How to Protect Pets from the Bitter Cold
We applaud Monica Robbins for this feature she recently did. We shared the story with city council and the police chief in BV and requested that our city ordinances be updated as well regarding tethering and sheltering.
On Monday, February 29th at 6:30 in the committee room at city hall, the BV Environment and Safety committee chaired by Councilman Paul Vincent will discuss these animal ordinances and make recommendations to make the verbage and fines stronger.
We ask for your support and participation at this meeting for the animals in Bay Village.
Our animal police logs reflect that these updates are needed.
Due to council members and city administrations inability to coordinate a meeting regarding the safety and well being of residents and domesticated pets and this subject matter. The date of this meeting posted has been cancelled again. When and if a new meeting is scheduled it will be reposted.
