(a) No person shall maliciously, or willfully and without the consent of the owner, kill or injure a farm animal, dog, cat or other domestic animal that is the property of another. This section does not apply to a licensed veterinarian, law enforcement officer, dog warden, or other city personnel acting in an official capacity, nor shall it apply to a person acting in self defense.
(b) No person shall taunt, tease or torment any dog or horse used by the police department of the City of Bedford, in the performance of the functions or duties of the police department, whether or not such dog or horse is performing duties at the time of the offense.
(c) No person shall interfere with or meddle with any dog or horse used by the police department of the City of Bedford, during the course of activities being performed on behalf of the police department.
(d) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof, if the value of the animal is $300.00 or less, is guilty of a second degree misdemeanor; if the value of animal is over $300.00, is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor. Whoever violates sections (b) or (c) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(Ord. 6278-91 passed 5-20-91)
(Ord. 6278-91 passed 5-20-91)
(e) No person shall knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, physical harm to a police dog or horse in either of the following circumstances:
(1) The police dog or horse is assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer’s official duties at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted.
(2) The police dog or horse is not assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer’s official duties at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted, but the offender has actual knowledge that the dog or horse is a police dog or horse.
(f) No person shall knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, physical harm to a handicapped assistance dog in either of the following circumstances:
(1) The dog, at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted, is assisting or serving a person who is blind, deaf, or hearing impaired or a person with a mobility impairment.
(2) The dog, at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted, is not assisting or serving a person who is blind, deaf, or hearing impaired or a person with a mobility impairment, but the offender has actual knowledge that the dog is an assistance dog.
(g) (1) Whoever violates subsection (e) hereof is guilty of assaulting a police dog or horse. If the violation results in physical harm to the police dog or horse, assaulting a police dog or horse is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the violation does not result in death, serious physical harm, or physical harm to the police dog or horse, assaulting a police dog or horse is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the violation results in death or serious physical harm to the police dog or horse, such violation is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(2) Whoever violates subsection (f) hereof is guilty of assaulting a handicapped assistance dog. If the violation results in physical harm to the dog, assaulting a handicapped assistance dog is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the violation does not result in death, serious physical harm, or physical harm to the dog, assaulting a handicapped assistance dog is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the violation results in death or serious physical harm to the dog, such violation is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(h) This section does not apply to a licensed veterinarian whose conduct is in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 4741.
(i) As used in this section:
(1) "Physical harm" means any injury, illness, or other physiological impairment, regardless of its gravity or duration.
(2) "Police dog or horse" means a dog or horse that has been trained, and may be used, to assist law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.
(3) "Serious physical harm" means any of the following:
A. Any physical harm that carries a substantial risk of death;
B. Any physical harm that causes permanent maiming or that involves some temporary, substantial maiming;
C. Any physical harm that causes acute pain of a duration that results in substantial suffering.
(4) "Handicapped assistance dog" means a dog that serves as a guide or leader for a blind person or as a listener for a deaf person or that provides support or assistance for a mobility impaired person.
(5) "Blind" and "mobility impaired person" have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 955.011.
(j) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof, if the value of the animal is $300.00 or less, is guilty of a second degree misdemeanor; if the value of animal is over $300.00, is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor. Whoever violates sections (b) or (c) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(ORC 2921.321; Ord. 6278-91 passed 5-20-91)