Pet's Best Friend

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Everyone’s pretty aware that Ohio is near, if not exactly dear, to my heart. I live there and the issues of animal welfare and care are something I take seriously (obviously, since I run this blog!)

I came across an article detailing new legislature on the ownership and care of exotic animals in the state. On the surface, it seems like a good thing, but maybe not so much. Ohio doesn’t exactly have its act together when it comes to animal care – up until this year it defined all pit bulls as vicious (and gave dog wardens the sole authority to identify whether or not a dog is a pit. Plenty of good “lab mixes” sitting in shelters around here waiting to be adopted because of the laws and that little loop hole!)

Take a gander at the full story and let us know what you think about the proposed legislature. Who will define an exotic? Will ferrets count? Sugar gliders? Will geckos be regulated? Seriously folks – I don’t trust Ohio lawmakers to have much common sense. Stricter care and keeping guidelines are needed but that can be accomplished with education. And the need for emergency contingency plans is important for ALL pet owners, not just those with exotics.

Leave a comment below or on the story and let your voice be heard.

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Breed-specific legislation in the state of Ohio is an issue near-and-dear to my heart. Not only have I had the pleasure of working with and meeting so many delightful pit bull and pit bull mixes in my five years in this state, but I share my home and my heart with a very special pittie mix. I couldn’t imagine my life without him and I would feel severely deprived if I had never had the experiences – good and bad – that working with dogs of the breed afforded me.

So when the news came in today that Ohio House Bill 14 passed the senate, I was overjoyed. I shouted, I leaped, I jumped for joy. And I maybe – just maybe – gave my dogs an extra treat or two for the night. House Bill 14 removes breed biased language from the Ohio Revised Code. Pit bulls are no longer “vicious” by definition – they’ll have a chance to prove themselves just like any other dog. Insurance requirements, ridiculous muzzle and leash length laws and other unfair facts of owning a pittie all go out the window the second Senator Kasich approves the bill.

If you’re interested in reading more about the bill or the harshness of breed specific legislation in the state of Ohio, you can read my full thoughts and  catch all the details on Gather.com.