Animal shelter inspections not required in Ohio

Local officials said the recent removal of more than 650 dogs and cats from rescue shelters in Huber Heights, Bethel Twp. and Piqua because of poor living conditions and neglect highlight a loophole in Ohio law that does not require shelters to be inspected.

Animal advocates and officials said that even shelter operators with the best intentions can accept too many animals and become overwhelmed, which can result in the animals suffering serious neglect.

“Other states have some

stringent inspection requirements,”

said Mark Kumpf, director of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.

“We don’t have those here in Ohio.”

In another neglect case, a few of the 50 exotic birds found at a home in Troy are being cared for on the property by the Miami County Humane Society. Officials said charges could result from their ongoing investigation…more

Gerberry: Animal Cruelty Law Stalled in Columbus

The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office plans on filing animal cruelty charges against a Berlin Center woman Friday...

But some state legislators say Ohio's laws don't have enough strength to deal with these situations.

“Yes, the laws in Ohio need to be strengthened,” said Rep. Ron Gerberry, D-59th District. “I have been working on trying to get Nitro's Law [HB 108], which would specifically deal with animal abuse in kennels now for two terms.”

Gerberry said the bill has not yet made it to the state Senate. He originally wanted the law to apply to most, if not all, animal owners. It would allow animal abuse charges to go from a misdemeanor to a fifth degree felony…see video

Cleveland women accused of abandoning dogs located; Bay Village draws protest over animal services: Animals in the News

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A tip from a Cleveland.com metro blog reader helped the Cleveland Animal Protective League locate two women accused of leaving a puppy locked in a bathroom and a dog chained to a tree after they were evicted from their rented Cleveland home…

…cost of veterinary care so far is $6,000. Donations can be made at dogsunlimitedrescue.org, where the group posts updates on the dogs' progress…more