Ohio Update: Senate Committee Will Consider Amendments to SB 95 on May 11

Ohio Update: Senate Committee Will Consider Amendments to SB 95 on May 11
[Monday, May 10, 2010]
The Ohio Senate State & Local Government & Veterans Affairs Committee will likely consider amendments to Senate Bill 95 during its meeting on May 11, 2010. While no draft is currently available, the AKC understands that these amendments will further clarify changes that were previously adopted by the committee. No public testimony will be allowed at this meeting, and no vote is scheduled to be taken.

The AKC continues to closely monitor this legislation, which seeks to further regulate dog breeding in Ohio. The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs and the strict enforcement of existing Ohio laws regarding cruelty to animals (§959.13) and prohibitions concerning domestic animals (§959.131), which already prohibit the appalling conditions and treatment supporters of SB 95 seek to regulate.

The AKC believes that any attempts at further regulation must be carefully constructed to ensure that the laws are reasonable, enforceable, and not a violation of the rights of responsible dog breeders.

How You Can Help

• Contact your Ohio State Senator and respectfully communicate your concerns and feedback regarding Senate Bill 95. To find the names of your legislators and their contact information, call (800) 282-0253 or type in your zip code at www.legislature.state.oh.us.
• Contact the members of the Senate State & Local Government and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and respectfully communicate any concerns and feedback you have regarding this bill.

The committee's contact information is as follows:
Senator Jim Hughes (Chair and Bill Sponsor)
Senate Building
Room #038, Ground Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-5981
Email: SD16@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Jimmy Stewart (Vice-Chair)
Senate Building
Room #040, Ground Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8076
Email: SD20@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Teresa Fedor (Ranking Minority Member)
Statehouse
Room #051, Ground Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-5204
Email: SD11@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator John Carey
Senate Building
Room #127, First Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8156
Email: SD17@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Timothy Grendell
Senate Building
Room #042, Ground Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 644-7718
E-mail: SD18@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Ray Miller
Senate Building
Room #228, Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-5131
E-mail: rmiller@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Bill Seitz
Senate Building
Room #143, First Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8068
Email: SD08@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Nina Turner
Senate Building
Room #226, Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-4583
Email: senatorturner@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Mark Wagoner
Senate Building
Room #129, First Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8060
Email: SD02@senate.state.oh.us

For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

American Kennel Club - Ohio Update: Senate Committee Will Consider Amendments to SB 95 on May 11