Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 959
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131 (2026)

Prohibitions concerning companion animals

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
April 3, 2023
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 164 - 134th General Assembly
PDF:
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(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Companion animal" means any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept, including a pet store as defined in section 956.01 of the Revised Code. "Companion animal" does not include livestock or any wild animal.

(2) "Cruelty," "torment," and "torture" have the same meanings as in section 1717.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Residential dwelling" means a structure or shelter or the portion of a structure or shelter that is used by one or more humans for the purpose of a habitation.

(4) "Practice of veterinary medicine" has the same meaning as in section 4741.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Wild animal" has the same meaning as in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Federal animal welfare act" means the "Laboratory Animal Act of 1966," Pub. L. No. 89-544, 80 Stat. 350 (1966), 7 U.S.C.A. 2131 et seq., as amended by the "Animal Welfare Act of 1970," Pub. L. No. 91-579, 84 Stat. 1560 (1970), the "Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1976," Pub. L. No. 94-279, 90 Stat. 417 (1976), and the "Food Security Act of 1985," Pub. L. No. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1354 (1985), and as it may be subsequently amended.

(7) "Dog kennel" means an animal rescue for dogs, a boarding kennel, or a training kennel.

(8) "Boarding kennel" and "animal rescue for dogs" have the same meanings as in section 956.01 of the Revised Code.

(9) "Training kennel" means an establishment operating for profit that keeps, houses, and maintains dogs for the purpose of training the dogs in return for a fee or other consideration.

(10) "Livestock" means horses, mules, and other equidae; cattle, sheep, goats, and other bovidae; swine and other suidae; poultry; alpacas; llamas; captive white-tailed deer; and any other animal that is raised or maintained domestically for food or fiber.

(11) "Captive white-tailed deer" has the same meaning as in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code.

(12) "Serious physical harm" means any of the following:

(a) Physical harm that carries an unnecessary or unjustifiable substantial risk of death;

(b) Physical harm that involves either partial or total permanent incapacity;

(c) Physical harm that involves acute pain of a duration that results in substantial suffering or that involves any degree of prolonged or intractable pain.

(B) No person shall knowingly torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against a companion animal.

(C) No person shall knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal.

(D) No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the following:

(1) Torture, torment, or commit an act of cruelty against the companion animal;

(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the deprivation or confinement;

(3) Impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the lack of adequate shelter.

(E) No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall recklessly deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water.

(F) No owner, manager, or employee of a dog kennel who confines or is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against the companion animal;

(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water if it is reasonably expected that the companion animal would die or experience unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering as a result of the deprivation or confinement;

(3) Impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it is reasonably expected that the companion animal would die or experience unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering as a result of or due to the lack of adequate shelter.

(G) No owner, manager, or employee of a dog kennel who confines or is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the following:

(1) Torture, torment, or commit an act of cruelty against the companion animal;

(2) Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance or confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the deprivation or confinement;

(3) Impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight if it can reasonably be expected that the companion animal would become sick or suffer in any other way as a result of or due to the lack of adequate shelter.

(H) Divisions (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of this section do not apply to any of the following:

(1) A companion animal used in scientific research conducted by an institution in accordance with the federal animal welfare act and related regulations;

(2) The lawful practice of veterinary medicine by a person who has been issued a license, temporary permit, or registration certificate to do so under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code;

(3) Dogs being used or intended for use for hunting or field trial purposes, provided that the dogs are being treated in accordance with usual and commonly accepted practices for the care of hunting dogs;

(4) The use of common training devices, if the companion animal is being treated in accordance with usual and commonly accepted practices for the training of animals;

(5) The administering of medicine to a companion animal that was properly prescribed by a person who has been issued a license, temporary permit, or registration certificate under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code.

(I) Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that otherwise provides for the distribution of fine moneys, the clerk of court shall forward all fines the clerk collects that are so imposed for any violation of this section to the treasurer of the political subdivision or the state, whose county humane society or law enforcement agency is to be paid the fine money as determined under this division. The treasurer to whom the fines are forwarded shall pay the fine moneys to the county humane society or the county, township, municipal corporation, or state law enforcement agency in this state that primarily was responsible for or involved in the investigation and prosecution of the violation. If a county humane society receives any fine moneys under this division, the county humane society shall use the fine moneys either to provide the training that is required for humane society agents under section 1717.061 of the Revised Code or to provide additional training for humane society agents.

Last updated February 8, 2023 at 3:59 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 86 cases (44 in the last 5 years), 2006–2026 · leading case: State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 23× “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
State v. Rawson, 2016 Ohio 1403 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 23× “{¶ 2} The criminal complaint against appellant charged him with two violations of R.C. 959.131. The first charge alleged that he had knowingly and cruelly beaten a companion animal in his custody or care, a violation of R.”
State v. McCullough, 2018 Ohio 4499 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 14× “60, enacted June 13, 2016 and effective September 13, 2016, replaced the prior versions of R.C. 959.131 and R.C. 959.99. H.B. 60 amended R.”
State v. Roper, 2022 Ohio 244 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 5× “- 16 - Clermont CA2021-05-019 CA2018-04-067, 2019-Ohio-1585, ¶ 32-35 (conviction for cruelty to animals in violation of R.C. 959.131[D][2] was supported by sufficient evidence where the evidence established that the dog at issue was underweight, but not necessarily emaciated,…”
State v. Glowney & Glowney, 2019 Ohio 3390 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 13× “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} The State’s evidence at the suppression hearing established the following 1 R.C. 959.131 was amended effective September 13, 2016, approximately one month prior to this offense.”
State v. Bechtel, 2020 Ohio 4889 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 14× “{¶2} On June 21, 2019, defendant-appellant, Nadine Bechtel, was charged by way of Complaints filed by City of Eastlake Patrolwoman Brianna Fawcett with eight counts of cruelty against companion animals, second degree misdemeanors in violation of R.C. 959.131. Counts 1 through 4…”
State v. Kyles, 2024 Ohio 5038 (Ohio 2024). · cites it 17× “] Criminal law—R.C. 959.131—R.C. 959.131 defines “companion animal” as including “any” dog or cat—A dog or cat need not be “kept” under R.”
State v. Hull, 2015 Ohio 4001 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 16× “131(C)(2) does prohibit the above behavior, at the time of the offense, August 27, 2013, the former version of R.C. 959.131 was in effect. Former R.C. 959.”
State v. Goodwin, 2017 Ohio 2712 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 16× “{¶ g} However, pursuant to an amendment to the statute, which took effect on September 13, 2016, R.C. 959.131 now provides, in relevant part, as follows.”
State v. Banks, 2021 Ohio 4330 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “01 (B) provides, “ ‘Cruelty,’ ‘torment,’ and ‘torture’ include every act, omission, or neglect by which unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, permitted, or allowed to continue, when there is a reasonable remedy or relief.”
State v. Thames, 2022 Ohio 1715 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 6× “99(E)(6)(b) governs reimbursement in cruelty to companion animal cases and provides: “A court may order a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code [cruelty to companion animal] to reimburse an impounding agency for the…”
State v. Powell, 2015 Ohio 4459 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 8× “Prior to commencing the trial, the city 1The complaint originally stated R.C. 959.131(C)(1) but was amended to reflect the written description of the charge.”
Show all 86 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(1) — 1 case
State v. Davidson, Unpublished Decision (3-24-2006), 2006 Ohio 1458 (Ohio Ct. App. 2006).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(A) — 1 case
State v. Glowney & Glowney, 2019 Ohio 3390 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} The State’s evidence at the suppression hearing established the following 1 R.C. 959.131 was amended effective September 13, 2016, approximately one month prior to this offense.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(A)(1) — 13 cases
State v. Roper, 2022 Ohio 244 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “- 16 - Clermont CA2021-05-019 CA2018-04-067, 2019-Ohio-1585, ¶ 32-35 (conviction for cruelty to animals in violation of R.C. 959.131[D][2] was supported by sufficient evidence where the evidence established that the dog at issue was underweight, but not necessarily emaciated,…”
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
State v. Kyles, 2024 Ohio 5038 (Ohio 2024). “] Criminal law—R.C. 959.131—R.C. 959.131 defines “companion animal” as including “any” dog or cat—A dog or cat need not be “kept” under R.”
State v. Hartman, 2012 Ohio 4694 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Hull, 2015 Ohio 4001 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). “131(C)(2) does prohibit the above behavior, at the time of the offense, August 27, 2013, the former version of R.C. 959.131 was in effect. Former R.C. 959.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(A)(12) — 1 case
State v. Foster, 2024 Ohio 4657 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(A)(2) — 11 cases
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
State v. Banks, 2021 Ohio 4330 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “01 (B) provides, “ ‘Cruelty,’ ‘torment,’ and ‘torture’ include every act, omission, or neglect by which unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, permitted, or allowed to continue, when there is a reasonable remedy or relief.”
State v. Goodwin, 2017 Ohio 2712 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “{¶ g} However, pursuant to an amendment to the statute, which took effect on September 13, 2016, R.C. 959.131 now provides, in relevant part, as follows.”
State v. Hill, 2021 Ohio 294 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
State ex rel. Ohio Soc. for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. v. Harrison Cty. Bd. of Commrs., 2011 Ohio 6029 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(A)(5) — 1 case
State v. Hartman, 2012 Ohio 4694 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(A)(8) — 1 case
State v. Burst, 2025 Ohio 2277 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(B) — 21 cases
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
State v. Rawson, 2016 Ohio 1403 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “{¶ 2} The criminal complaint against appellant charged him with two violations of R.C. 959.131. The first charge alleged that he had knowingly and cruelly beaten a companion animal in his custody or care, a violation of R.”
State v. Goodwin, 2017 Ohio 2712 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “{¶ g} However, pursuant to an amendment to the statute, which took effect on September 13, 2016, R.C. 959.131 now provides, in relevant part, as follows.”
State v. Banks, 2021 Ohio 4330 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “01 (B) provides, “ ‘Cruelty,’ ‘torment,’ and ‘torture’ include every act, omission, or neglect by which unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, permitted, or allowed to continue, when there is a reasonable remedy or relief.”
State v. Stargell, 2016 Ohio 5653 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(B)(1) — 1 case
State v. Miner, 2020 Ohio 5600 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(C) — 23 cases
State v. McCullough, 2018 Ohio 4499 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “60, enacted June 13, 2016 and effective September 13, 2016, replaced the prior versions of R.C. 959.131 and R.C. 959.99. H.B. 60 amended R.”
State v. Rawson, 2016 Ohio 1403 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “{¶ 2} The criminal complaint against appellant charged him with two violations of R.C. 959.131. The first charge alleged that he had knowingly and cruelly beaten a companion animal in his custody or care, a violation of R.”
State v. Kyles, 2024 Ohio 5038 (Ohio 2024). “] Criminal law—R.C. 959.131—R.C. 959.131 defines “companion animal” as including “any” dog or cat—A dog or cat need not be “kept” under R.”
State v. Glowney & Glowney, 2019 Ohio 3390 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} The State’s evidence at the suppression hearing established the following 1 R.C. 959.131 was amended effective September 13, 2016, approximately one month prior to this offense.”
State v. Smalley, 2019 Ohio 1572 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(C)(1) — 4 cases
State v. Rawson, 2016 Ohio 1403 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “{¶ 2} The criminal complaint against appellant charged him with two violations of R.C. 959.131. The first charge alleged that he had knowingly and cruelly beaten a companion animal in his custody or care, a violation of R.”
State v. Hartman, 2012 Ohio 4694 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Powell, 2015 Ohio 4459 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). “Prior to commencing the trial, the city 1The complaint originally stated R.C. 959.131(C)(1) but was amended to reflect the written description of the charge.”
State v. Sherman, 2015 Ohio 3299 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(C)(2) — 13 cases
State v. Hull, 2015 Ohio 4001 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). “131(C)(2) does prohibit the above behavior, at the time of the offense, August 27, 2013, the former version of R.C. 959.131 was in effect. Former R.C. 959.”
State v. Glowney & Glowney, 2019 Ohio 3390 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} The State’s evidence at the suppression hearing established the following 1 R.C. 959.131 was amended effective September 13, 2016, approximately one month prior to this offense.”
State v. Rawson, 2016 Ohio 1403 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “{¶ 2} The criminal complaint against appellant charged him with two violations of R.C. 959.131. The first charge alleged that he had knowingly and cruelly beaten a companion animal in his custody or care, a violation of R.”
State v. Powell, 2015 Ohio 4459 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). “Prior to commencing the trial, the city 1The complaint originally stated R.C. 959.131(C)(1) but was amended to reflect the written description of the charge.”
State v. Sullivan, 2014 Ohio 1687 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(C)(3) — 3 cases
State v. Taylor, 2018 Ohio 697 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Taylor, 2018 Ohio 4729 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Lake Cty. Humane Soc'y, 2017 Ohio 7029 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(C)(5) — 1 case
State v. Chipman, 2018 Ohio 33 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(C)(E)(2) — 2 cases
State v. Wells, 2021 Ohio 2343 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Fishburn, 2021 Ohio 2303 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(D) — 6 cases
State v. Glowney & Glowney, 2019 Ohio 3390 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} The State’s evidence at the suppression hearing established the following 1 R.C. 959.131 was amended effective September 13, 2016, approximately one month prior to this offense.”
State v. Taylor, 2018 Ohio 4729 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Chipman, 2018 Ohio 33 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Burst, 2025 Ohio 2277 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
State v. Unger, 2017 Ohio 8824 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(D)(1) — 19 cases
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
State v. Bechtel, 2020 Ohio 4889 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020). “{¶2} On June 21, 2019, defendant-appellant, Nadine Bechtel, was charged by way of Complaints filed by City of Eastlake Patrolwoman Brianna Fawcett with eight counts of cruelty against companion animals, second degree misdemeanors in violation of R.C. 959.131. Counts 1 through 4…”
State v. Thames, 2022 Ohio 1715 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “99(E)(6)(b) governs reimbursement in cruelty to companion animal cases and provides: “A court may order a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code [cruelty to companion animal] to reimburse an impounding agency for the…”
State v. Glowney & Glowney, 2019 Ohio 3390 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} The State’s evidence at the suppression hearing established the following 1 R.C. 959.131 was amended effective September 13, 2016, approximately one month prior to this offense.”
State v. Paolucci, 2024 Ohio 1349 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(D)(2) — 17 cases
State v. Roper, 2022 Ohio 244 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “- 16 - Clermont CA2021-05-019 CA2018-04-067, 2019-Ohio-1585, ¶ 32-35 (conviction for cruelty to animals in violation of R.C. 959.131[D][2] was supported by sufficient evidence where the evidence established that the dog at issue was underweight, but not necessarily emaciated,…”
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
State v. Schuler, 2019 Ohio 1585 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Bechtel, 2020 Ohio 4889 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020). “{¶2} On June 21, 2019, defendant-appellant, Nadine Bechtel, was charged by way of Complaints filed by City of Eastlake Patrolwoman Brianna Fawcett with eight counts of cruelty against companion animals, second degree misdemeanors in violation of R.C. 959.131. Counts 1 through 4…”
State v. Murphy, 2025 Ohio 63 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(D)(3) — 1 case
State v. Whitfield, 2025 Ohio 4957 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(E) — 1 case
State v. Burst, 2025 Ohio 2277 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(E)(1) — 1 case
State v. Baldwin, 2021 Ohio 4566 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(E)(2) — 1 case
State v. Burst, 2025 Ohio 2277 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(E)(4) — 1 case
State v. Baldwin, 2021 Ohio 4566 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(F) — 1 case
State v. Burst, 2025 Ohio 2277 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(F)(1) — 1 case
State v. Lackey, 2024 Ohio 4826 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 959.131(G)(3) — 1 case
State v. S., 2018 Ohio 4886 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “R.C. 959.131. {¶ 30} That statute defines “companion animal” as “any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept.”
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