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.
Westerville, OH
Westerville prohibits street parking for more than 48 consecutive hours on public streets under Codified Ordinance 351.16. Overnight parking is generally all...
Westerville, OH
Westerville adopts the Ohio Residential Code smoke alarm requirements. Smoke alarms required in every sleeping room, outside sleeping areas, and on every lev...
Westerville, OH
Westerville allows recreational fire pits under Ohio Fire Code 307.4. Fires must be under 3 feet in diameter, 2 feet high, and at least 25 feet from any stru...
Westerville, OH
Westerville requires property owners to maintain vegetation and remove dead brush under Codified Ordinance 521.08. No defensible-space wildfire rules apply a...
Westerville, OH
Backyard recreational fires permitted in Westerville under Ohio Fire Code 307.4: 3-foot diameter maximum, 25-foot setback from structures, clean wood only. M...
Westerville, OH
Westerville prohibits discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits under Codified Ordinance 1509.10, opting out of Ohio HB 172 state holiday allowances...
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See how Westerville's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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