Ohio Companion Animal Cruelty Statute Applies Statewide

(A) As used in this section: (1) "Companion animal" means any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept, including a pet store as defined in section 956.01 of the Revised Code. "Companion animal" does not include livestock or any wild animal. (2) "Cruelty," "torment," and "torture" have the same meanings as in section 1717.01 of the Revised Code. (3) "Residential dwelling" means a structure or shelter or the portion of a structure or shelter that is used by one or more humans for the purpose of a habitation. (4) "Practice of veterinary medicine" has the same meaning as in section 4741.01 of the Revised Code. (5) "Wild animal" has the same meaning as in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code. (6) "Federal animal welfare act" means the "Laboratory Animal Act of 1966," Pub. L. No. 89-544, 80 Stat. 350 (1966), 7 U.S.C.A. 2131 et seq., as amended by the "Animal Welfare Act of 1970," Pub. L. No. 91-579, 84 Stat. 1560 (1970), the "Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1976," Pub. L. No. 94-279, 90 Stat. 417 (1976), and the "Food Security Act of 1985," Pub. L. No. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1354 (1985), and as it may be subsequently amended. (7) "Dog kennel" means an animal rescue for dogs, a boarding kennel, or a training kennel. (8) "Boarding kennel" and "animal rescue for dogs" have the same meanings as in section 956.01 of the Revised Code.