Goddard Act, State Bill 164, Amendment

CLEVELAND (WJW) — A vote that could make penalties for pet neglect and harm tougher could go as early as today.

The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday, goddard’s lawor Senate Bill 164, a House-wide vote.

The law is named after Fox 8 meteorologist Dick Goddard. It was signed into law in 2016, making pet neglect or harm a fifth-degree felony.

Goddard, a longtime advocate of “four foot,” had been pushing for the bill to pass for several years.

If Senate Bill 164 According to the Ohio Animal Conservation Federation, the most egregious fifth-degree felony committed against companion animals under current law is classified as “violent conduct.”

This will make more convictions irrevocable. This means that the criminal record will remain with them for the rest of their lives, allowing law enforcement and courts to identify these criminals.

This classification also removes the existing presumption of imprisonment for these crimes and allows judges to have discretion in sentencing.

The bill also includes a provision banning the killing of livestock using gas chambers.

APL is asking Ohioans to contact their local representatives to help pass the bill.

In a press release, APL said, “The link between animal cruelty and violence against humans is well-established.” By keeping crimes on the criminal record, the state recognizes this significant correlation: the law not only provides greater protection for companion animals, but also for people and society. Thing.”