Ohio's companion animal cruelty law universally criminalizes neglect typical of hoarding situations, with felony penalties applying uniformly regardless of municipal boundaries.
ORC 959.131 prohibits cruelty against companion animals including dogs, cats, and any animals kept inside a residential dwelling. Hoarding situations typically violate this statute through failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. First-offense neglect is a second-degree misdemeanor; cruelty involving torture or serious harm is a fifth-degree felony. ORC 959.99 sets penalties uniformly statewide. ORC 1717.13 authorizes humane society agents to investigate and seize animals. While cities may add specific numerical limits on pet ownership, the cruelty and neglect framework applies universally and cannot be relaxed locally.
Neglect is a second-degree misdemeanor (up to 90 days, $750); cruelty is a fifth-degree felony with up to 12 months prison and $2,500 fine, plus mandatory animal forfeiture.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Parma, OH
Parma Codified Ordinance 634.04 Table I sets receiving-land-use decibel caps measured at the property boundary: 60 dBA in residential areas from 8 AM to 9 PM...
Parma, OH
Parma Codified Ordinance 634.03(b) caps outdoor amplified music at places of public entertainment at 50 dBB measured at the property line of residentially zo...
Parma, OH
Retaining walls in Parma fall under Chapter 1707 Basic Standards for Property Maintenance, which requires accessory structures and walls to be kept structura...
Parma, OH
Parma permits recreational fire pits under Ohio Fire Code 307.4 provisions. Fires must be contained to a pit no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet hig...
Parma, OH
Backyard recreational fires in Parma are allowed under Ohio Fire Code 307.4 provisions but subject to local restrictions. Fires must be for recreation or coo...
Parma, OH
Parma receives water service from Cleveland Water, the regional utility drawing from Lake Erie. Because Lake Erie provides abundant supply, no routine outdoo...
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