Boardman lawmaker proposes clearer animal cruelty law

The case of a man who splashed bleach near a stray cat has prompted a Valley lawmaker to introduce a bill that he says would strengthen the definition of “animal cruelty,” and eliminate discrepancies in the legal process.

 Republican Representative Tex Fischer of Boardman is proposing to rewrite an Ohio law to clarify the definition of a companion animal, to include any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept, including a pet store.

 Fischer’s legislation was inspired by a case of a Cleveland man now before the Ohio Supreme Court which is deciding whether a stray cat qualifies as a "companion animal" under Ohio law.

Alonzo Kyles was convicted of abuse of a companion animal after pouring diluted bleach down a basement hallway where a stray cat was found. The cat suffered minor injuries but was not seriously harmed.

Kyle’s public defender argues that the stray cat was not a "companion animal" under the law because it wasn't "kept" by anyone.

The Court of Appeals sided with Kyles, finding the evidence insufficient to prove the cat was a companion animal.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor took the case before the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing that the phrase "regardless of where it is kept" means all dogs and cats are included, regardless of ownership, and that stray animals deserve the same protection as owned animals.

The Ohio Supreme Court is still reviewing the case and could reinstate Kyle’s conviction but cited the lack of clarity in the legal language as an issue.

 “Abusing innocent animals is abhorrent behavior,” Rep. Fischer said in a news release. “By closing this loophole and clarifying the language in the law, we can assure this type of cruel act will face appropriate consequences and hopefully deter this type of abuse.”