Fighting for Accountability You trust your veterinarian to diagnose and treat your pets. But what if your veterinarian makes a mistake and that mistake hurts, or even kills, your beloved family member? In recent years, the field of veterinary medicine has become increasingly difficult to regulate. In the meantime, pet owners are valuing their pets…
Fun legislation news just in time for summer! Several Ohio liquor laws changed as a result of Senate Bill 102. The changes went into effect March 23, 2022. Most importantly, charities can now legally auction or raffle alcoholic beverages at fundraising events! Previously, awarding alcohol as a prize was not permitted, even for charities. Receiving…
House Bill 24 was signed by Governor DeWine on December 29, 2020. This lengthy bill goes into effect in 90 days. Most critically, HB 24 creates “care bond” hearings for livestock and allows courts to order convicted offenders to pay restitution for the care of those animals. Care bond/cost of care laws help prevent humane…
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) rule on the transportation of “emotional support” and service animals on airplanes. This decision comes after years of tension surrounding emotional support animals being allowed to fly in plane cabins for free. Unlike service animals, there is no requirement…
The Ohio Department of Health and Gov. Mike DeWine issued a plan to restart Ohio’s economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on April 27, 2020. How does Responsible RestartOhio pertain to pets and pet-related business?✔️On May 1, 2020, veterinary services can resume. Yes, this means “non-essential” spay/neuters can be performed! Facilities that plan to resume…
As a result of the coronavirus crisis, rescues, shelters, animal control facilities, dog wardens, and humane societies have an increased need for volunteer foster homes, who are a lifeline to alleviate overcrowding and economic hardships, as employees and volunteers are unable to come in and care for pets as they normally do. Complicating matters is…
Some animal shelter, rescue, and humane society employees and volunteers have reported that they are uncomfortable traveling during Ohio’s Stay at Home COVID-19 order, effective March 24th, because they fear being pulled over by law enforcement without documentation about their activities. While most law enforcement agencies do not seem to be aggressively questioning citizens, a…
Nonprofits Beware! This very official-looking letter purports to provide your new Ohio nonprofit organization a Certificate of Good Standing for the fee of $67.50. This letter is NOT from the Ohio Secretary of State and is extremely misleading. Similar letters are being sent to nonprofits across the country with state-matched names such as “MI Certificate…
The PACT Act (Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act) was signed into federal law yesterday! This is a great law that builds on 2010’s Animal Crush Prohibition Act by making any activity defined as “animal crushing” potentially a federal crime, whether or not the act is committed as part of a crush video. Unfortunately, there…
State of Ohio v. Christina Davis and Delores Davis, a case prosecuted for the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Delores and Christina Davis, sisters, were charged with one second degree misdemeanor count related to the starvation death of their dog. The dog was found deceased and emaciated in their yard. The sisters stated they relied on…