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…
We’re excited to announce that Holland & Muirden is now offering online notary services in Ohio! Online notarization became legal in Ohio in September 2019 and requires the individual notary complete special training and pass an examination. Our notary public is authorized by the Secretary of State’s Office to perform these services. An online notarization…
How do you connect with loved ones in lock down at nursing homes? Residents in nursing homes, assisted living, group homes or other care facilities are isolated in the best of times. Now, with the lock down of facilities to protect against Covid-19 infection, they are completely cut off from family and loved ones. What…
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 v. Benny Craft, a case we prosecuted which was investigated by the Ashland County Sheriff and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, with assistance from the Humane Society of Ashland County Ohio Craft was found guilty after a jury trial of cockfighting, two counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of criminal tools.…
State v. Marlowe, a case we prosecuted for Animal Charity of Ohio. Marlowe was convicted of companion animal cruelty for neglecting 5 dogs at her house. One was emaciated and dehydrated in an outdoor, fenced area. The others were inside the basement, covered in debris, including a large accumulation of fecal material and urine, causing…
State v. Rionte Rees, a case we prosecuted for the Medina County SPCA. Defendant was found guilty of companion animal neglect for failure to provide proper care of Babe, a 10 month old pit bull. Babe suffered from demodex mange and severe itching resulting in the loss of most of his fur. Rees was sentenced…
State v. David Taylor a case we prosecuted for the Lake Humane Society resulting in a lifetime ban from keeping companion animals. Taylor was convicted in the Willoughby Municipal Court of 9 counts of companion animal cruelty after trial for neglecting his three dogs, who were kept in a cluttered, dirty yard full of debris,…
State of Ohio v. Christopher Bittner, a case prosecuted for the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Bittner plead no contest to two second degree misdemeanor counts pertaining to his neglect of 10 dogs. Bitter was breeding bulldogs and the operation got out of control, causing the dogs to suffer from an overwhelming odor of excrement and…