Right now in Ohio, sexually abusing an animal is only a misdemeanor — even though it's a violent crime that causes animals real physical and emotional harm, and can even kill them. Senate Bill 393 would change that, making sexual abuse of an animal a felony instead of a low-level offense.

This isn't a hypothetical problem. In Ashland County, a dog breeder is currently facing multiple animal cruelty charges, including one for sexual conduct with an animal — a case that shows exactly why Ohio's current law isn't strong enough to hold people accountable.

SB 393 doesn't stop at raising the penalty. It would also close a dangerous gap by making it illegal to create or possess material depicting sexual conduct with an animal, and it strengthens the law around sexual offenses involving minors. Animals and children are both vulnerable, and Ohio lawmakers have a chance to protect both in one bill.

The Ohio Senate already passed SB 393 back in May. Now it's sitting in the Ohio House of Representatives, waiting for lawmakers to act. Every day it sits there is another day Ohio treats this violent crime as a minor offense.

Ohio residents shouldn't have to wait for another case like Ashland County's to make headlines. Sign the petition to urge the Ohio House to pass SB 393 now — before another animal, or another vulnerable Ohioan, pays the price for a law that's too weak to protect them.