12/15/2022

Goddard’s Law Passes Ohio House

This will make punishment for animal abuse stricter

Goddard's Law, or Senate Bill 164, passed the Ohio House early Thursday morning, making the punishment for neglect or harm of a pet more severe. It now moves onto Governor Mike DeWine’s desk. This came after the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Tuesday, passing Goddard's Law for a vote in the full House.

The law was named after Fox 8 Meteorologist Dick Goddard. It was signed into law in 2016 and made neglect or harm of a pet a fifth-degree felony.

However, the maximum penalty for even the most horrific act of animal cruelty was one year in jail. With these changes, judges never have the discretion to impose a longer sentence.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fox 8 - Cleveland.