Police Horse Protection Laws

Ohio Revised Code

Section 2921.321

                                                  General Assembly: 121

                                          Bill Number: Amended. Sub. S.B. 2

                                                  Effective Date: 07/01/96

(A) 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. 

(B) No person shall knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, physical harm to a
handicapped assistance dog in either of the following circumstances: 

(1) The handicapped assistance dog is assisting a blind, deaf, or mobility impaired
person at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted. 

(2) The handicapped assistance dog is not assisting a blind, deaf, or mobility impaired
person at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted, but the offender has actual
knowledge that the dog is a handicapped assistance dog. 

(C)(1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of assaulting a police dog
or horse. Except as otherwise provided in this division, assaulting a police dog or horse
is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the violation results in the death of the dog or
horse, assaulting a police dog or horse is a felony of the fourth degree. If the violation
results in serious physical harm to the police dog or horse other than its death,
assaulting a police dog or horse is a felony of the fifth degree. If the violation results in
physical harm to the police dog or horse other than death or serious physical harm,
assaulting a police dog or horse is a misdemeanor of the first degree. 

(2) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of assaulting a handicapped
assistance dog. Except as otherwise provided in this division, assaulting a handicapped
assistance dog is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the violation results in the
death of the dog, assaulting a handicapped assistance dog is a felony of the fourth
degree. If the violation results in serious physical harm to the dog other than its death,
assaulting a handicapped assistance dog is a felony of the fifth degree. If the violation
results in physical harm to the dog other than death or serious physical harm, assaulting
a handicapped assistance dog is a misdemeanor of the first degree. 

(D) This section does not apply to a licensed veterinarian whose conduct is in
accordance with Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code. 

(E) 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 section
955.011 of the Revised Code.