OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 678 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 678’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Fischer
Effective date:
Amanda Goodman, Attorney
SUMMARY
▪ Clarifies that any dog or cat is considered a companion animal for purposes of the laws
governing companion animal cruelty, regardless of whether the dog or cat is kept or cared
for or under physical control of a person.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Companion animal definition
The bill clarifies that any dog or cat is considered a companion animal for purposes of the
laws governing companion animal cruelty, regardless of whether the dog or cat is kept or cared
for or under physical control of a person.
Under current law, a companion animal is defined to mean an animal that is kept inside a
residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept. However, at least one court
found that Ohio’s companion animal cruelty laws only apply, with regard to dogs and cats, to all
“kept” dogs and cats. “Kept” is not a defined term, and the Eighth District Court of Appeals
interpreted current law to mean that the dog or cat must be cared for or under a person’s physical
control in order to be the subject of a companion animal cruelty offense.1 The bill clarifies that
any dog or cat may be the subject of a companion animal cruelty offense, including a dog or cat
that is not under the care of a specific person (e.g., a stray dog or cat).2
1
See State v. Kyles, 2023-Ohio-2691. This case was appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court and oral
arguments were heard in July 2024. However, as of October 17, 2024, an opinion has not been rendered.
2
R.C. 959.131.
October 17, 2024
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HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 10-16-24
ANHB0678IN-135/ts
P a g e |2 H.B. 678
As Introduced