❌ HB417
Regards animal abuse offenses and penalties
Current Status: In House Committee (Public Safety)
Summary
HB417 amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit the abuse of companion animal corpses, restrict animal abuse offenders from owning dogs under certain conditions, and establish mandatory fines for violations of animal abuse offenses. It also creates a 'Do Not Adopt' registry for individuals convicted of animal abuse and mandates the establishment of a statewide dangerous and vicious dog registry.
Rationale
The bill imposes restrictions on individual rights regarding pet ownership and creates mandatory penalties, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of personal liberty and minimal government intervention. The Libertarian Party of Ohio also opposes government overreach in personal matters, which this bill exemplifies.
Risks and Concerns
- Increases government control over personal pet ownership
- Potential for misuse of the 'Do Not Adopt' registry
- Imposes mandatory fines that may disproportionately affect low-income individuals