WE THE UNDERSIGNED, HEREBY PETITION  ALL OF THE ABOVE REPRESENTATIVES TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING, SEVERE, AND HARMFUL ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT ISSUES THAT PERMEATE OUR COMMUNITIES AND AFFECT THIS COUNTY’S RESIDENTS, ECONOMY, AND THE WELFARE OF ITS DOMESTICATED ANIMALS.

There is a very real pet overpopulation crisis in Allen County. The cruelty and neglect in Allen County, as well as all of Ohio, is worse than it has ever been. The pet overpopulation has reached a critical level. Overflowing shelters and rescues cannot keep up with the constant influx of unwanted and abandoned animals. Currently, there are more homeless dogs than there are people to adopt them or even foster them.

This must change!

Currently, under Ohio Revised Statute Section 1717.06* only Humane Societies can legally hire or appoint humane agents “for the purpose of prosecuting any person guilty of an act of cruelty to animals.” They have the authority to “arrest any person found violating this chapter or any other law for protecting animals or preventing acts of cruelty thereto.”

The Humane Society of Allen County has repeatedly demonstrated an inability to retain a full-time humane agent or even a part-time humane agent. This leaves a gaping hole in the protection of animals within the county borders, thus leaving our communities vulnerable to an influx of homeless, ownerless, and abandoned animals.

Where there are no checks and balances, lawlessness ensues. Individuals who are perpetrating known animal cruelty and neglect within this county’s lines are fully aware that they will have no consequences for their actions. This lack of oversight and enforcement of a law on the State’s books gives these criminals the freedom to act against animals in any way they wish without any legal ramifications. We demand mandatory sentencing of all abusers.

Further, cruelty cases sit in the shelter, unable to be adopted due to the atrocities they’ve endured at the hands of the humans who are supposed to be caring for them. Many have physical and behavioral scars that make the unadoptable or relegate them to “special” adoption cases where only experienced handlers are qualified to adopt them.

Meanwhile, the abusers go unpunished because there is no one to stand up for the battered animals, no voice to speak out and testify against them.

Currently, there are more dogs than there are homes for them in Allen County. Every day more backyard breeders are negligently breeding animals and more “accidental” litters are being born, which is the crux of the county’s pet overpopulation crisis. This results in an inordinate number of animals that cannot be placed in loving homes simply because of pet overpopulation. Additionally, this unregulated breeding leads to genetic defects, physical and psychological abnormalities, and deformities in the animals due to inbreeding and lack of oversight and supervision on the part of the breeder. This too can cause animals to be labeled “unadoptable or difficult to place.”. We demand controlled breeding.

Allen County’s rescues and shelters are no longer being filled with solely adult dogs, but also with pregnant dogs, dogs with nursing puppies, and entire litters of puppies – some that were taken from their mother too early and require around the clock care and bottle feeding. This too feeds the pet overpopulation crisis in Allen County.

This has to change.

Currently, Allen County Ohio does not have any low-cost spay and neuter clinics that are either operated through the county or Humane Society or that partner with the Humane Society. This compounds the pet overpopulation crisis in Allen County. Intact animals that are stray, homeless, or abandoned are free to breed indiscriminately, further exacerbating the growing crisis of overpopulation of our shelters and rescues as well as animals at large in our communities and the potential dangers that it presents to our residents.

Further, this impacts responsible pet owners as the risk of diseases such as parvo, rabies, and respiratory viruses are increased due to unvaccinated at large animals roaming the streets and individuals’ yards. They may also be aggressive and even chase or attack the pets of responsible owners – or even the owners themselves as well as residents in Allen County communities.

Instituting low-cost spay and neuter clinics in Allen County must be a priority.

Currently, there is no vetting process for animals that are brought into Ohio from other states. While there is a requirement for all companion dogs to be registered, this is loosely enforced at best. Many animals are being brought into Allen County from other states and are bringing with them diseases as well as adding to the current pet overpopulation crisis. These animals are brought over state lines by a local rescue by the thousands.

WE STATE OR BELIEVE:

Ohio Revised Statute Section 1717.06 should be amended, allowing the Allen County Police Force to employ or appoint two full-time humane agents, on-duty at all times.

Ohio Revised Statute Chapter 955 should be amended, requiring any individual or entity that desires to breed animals to purchase a permit for each litter, and the cost for said permit should be cost-prohibitive for individuals who breed their animals indiscriminately. Further, if an individual is found breeding animals without a permit, they should be subject to a fine that exceeds the cost of the permit.

Institute low-cost spay and neuter clinics through Allen County, the Humane Society, or via partners of the Humans Society. Spaying and neutering companion animals should be accessible to all pet owners.

Create a vetting process for animals that are brought into Ohio from out of state and enforce dog registration more stringently. Additionally, limit the number of animals that are allowed into the state to reduce the potential for abandonment or negligence leading to at large animals.

The responsible pet owners of Allen County deserve better. The innocent animals that are abused, neglected, or abandoned deserve better. The people of Allen County deserve better. By addressing these emergent issues quickly and efficiently, we can all begin to get control of the pet overpopulation crisis within our county lines and even the borders of the State of Ohio.

  *https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1717.06
**https://www.allencountyohio.com/dog-control/

BY SIGNING THIS PETITION, YOU ARE TELLING ________ THAT THE PET OVERPOPULATION CRISIS IN ALLEN COUNTY IS A PRIORITY FOR YOU AND IT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THEM – CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE IMMEDIATELY: WE MUST ACT NOW. IT IS BY FAR GETTING WORSE.