505.22 DEFINITION AND PROHIBITION OF DOG FIGHTING.

   (a)   No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

      (1)   Promote, engage in, or be employed in dog fighting;

      (2)   Receive money for the admission of another person to a place kept for dog fighting;

      (3)   Sell, purchase, possess or train a dog for dog fighting;

      (4)   Use, train or possess a dog for seizing, detaining or maltreating a domestic animal;

      (5)   Purchase a ticket of admission to or be present at a dogfight;

      (6)   Witness a dogfight if it is presented as a public spectacle;

      (7)   Train, torment, badger, bait or use any dog for the purpose of causing or encouraging said dog to commit unprovoked attacks upon human beings;

      (8)   For amusement or gain, cause or allow any dog to fight with another dog or injure each other.

   (b)   Penalties. A violation of any of these prohibitions is a felony of the fourth degree for a first offense and a felony of the third degree on each subsequent offense. Additionally, if any equipment, devices, or other items involved in such an offense are confiscated, forfeited and sold or if any cash is confiscated and forfeited, the proceeds from the sale and the cash that is confiscated and forfeited, if any, shall be used to pay the costs incurred by the impounding animal shelter in caring for or euthanizing a dog involved in the offense. The court must order any proceeds and any cash that remains after those costs are paid to be used for educational purposes designed to eliminate dog fighting. (ORC 959.99(I))

   (c)   Additional Penalties. A person found to be in violation of this section shall be guilty in accordance with Ohio R.C. 959.99. Additionally, Whitehall may prohibit or place limitations on a person, who is convicted or pleads guilty to a violation of Section 505.22 regarding the person’s ability to own or care for any animals for a specified period of time.

(Ord. 49-08. Passed 7-1-08.)