10/15/1999
BY JOHN SEEWER
Associated Press Writer

Cases of animal abuse are being ignored in Ohio because the state's animal cruelty laws are the worst in the nation, leaders of animal protection group said.

The Humane Society of the United States said Ohio does little to protect cats and dogs from abuse. The society wants state lawmakers to adopt tougher penalties against animal abusers. ``The cruelty law is antiquated and inadequate,�� said Linda Reider, program coordinator for the society�s Great Lakes regional office in Bowling Green.

Ohio's animal cruelty law hasn't been changed since it was enacted in 1875. People convicted of abusing animals still face a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a $750 fine.

The Humane Society said few people are given the maximum penalty.

Last year, a northwest Ohio woman convicted of keeping more than 150 cats and dogs in boarded-up buildings and leaving some to die was sentenced to five days in jail and fined $10. Humane Society officers said the animals were feeding off each other, were fighting, or were sick or dead.

A man in suburban Cleveland who cut off the paws of a kitten, then lopped off its head was sentenced to 30 days in jail two years ago.

"It�s just ridiculous," Reider said. "We are convinced that there is so much animal cruelty that goes unchecked because you can hardly prosecute under this law."

The Ohio Legislative Services Commission three years ago ranked the state's animal cruelty penalties lowest in severity among the states.

Since then, some states have increased penalties against animal abusers. Some require abusers to undergo psychiatric evaluations.

Twenty-seven states charge animal abusers with a felony. In Oregon, which is considered to have one of the most stringent animal cruelty laws, the maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Combating animal abuse is not just about protecting pets, Reider said. Studies have shown that people who abuse animals are more likely to beat their spouse or children.

"People don�t act violently in a vacuum," Reider said. "Repeated animal cruelty is a sign that this person needs help."

Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Columbus, has introduced a bill that would charge repeat abusers with a felony that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

"I was shocked to find out some of these things were occurring and these people were being slapped on the wrists," Tiberi said.

It's the second time he has tried to change the state's animal cruelty law.

Farm organizations helped defeat his first bill because there were worries that farmers could be prosecuted if there were complaints about the way they housed livestock or about how animals were treated.

Tiberi said the revised bill would deal strictly with pets and not farm animals.

There still is concern about the bill among farmers and exotic animal owners.

Tiberi said they have no reason to worry because he has no intention of targeting livestock.

"A lot of people have misconceptions about this," he said.