Campaign to Eliminate Canine Profiling in Ohio Is Back in Session

You've got to hand it to tenacious, articulate advocates like Jean Keating, who is committed to volunteering her time to help our best friends. Keating and her nascent group, the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates, have been relentless — and quite successful — in repealing antiquated city canine profiling laws in Ohio that rip friendly pets from their homes. They now have their eyes on the prize: targeting the state-level breed discriminatory law.

According to Keating, "There will never be a better time than now to join together, across the State, and put an end to discrimination once and for all. From farm to suburb to city, pit bulls live in every neighborhood, with people of every race, age, religion, and occupation. As Ohioans, we share a passion for dogs. As Ohioans, we can no longer stand by and watch families torn apart by breed discrimination."

HB 14, a comprehensive dangerous dog/reckless owner bill that does not target dogs based on their appearance, has passed the State House of Representatives and, now that the legislature is back in session, has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice Committee. Keating's petition on Change.org is asking the committee, and eventually the full Senate, to pass the bill.

Representative Barbara Sears, who is spearheading the bill, stated: "HB 14 has passed two critical procedural requirements on its way to passage. It was passed out of the House in the Spring and has just received its committee assignment in the Senate. I'm looking forward to providing sponsor testimony in the Senate where it has received much informal support. This legislative change is much overdue in Ohio!"

The Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates applaud Rep. Sears' actions. So do Best Friends Animal Society, the Ohio Dog Wardens Association, the Ohio County Commissioners, and the Humane Society of the United States. Animal advocates and experts in Ohio and across the country agree: HB 14 is a good idea.

Why? Let's look at the facts. Ohio is the only state that has a breed discriminatory state law targeting "pit bulls." Twelve states actually prohibit canine profiling because there is no evidence that it protects the public; it just deprives people of their pets. Under these broad laws, any short-haired, muscular mutt is at risk of being seized if its owner fails to comply with costly insurance requirements, plus muzzling or other restrictions.

It's un-American and a waste of tax dollars to enforce. Please sign the petition to keep HB 14 moving, and give all dogs in Ohio a chance.

Photo By Erica Cox, Smurfette from the Rancho Cucamonga Pit Crew