Should abusing a dog or a cat be a felony? Ohio Supreme Court debating to take the case

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Ohio Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether or not to take a case regarding animal cruelty designations in Ohio.

The case being deliberated surrounds Alonzo Kyles. Here is the description from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office:

“In October 2021, CDP responded to a call regarding a kitten in an apartment building basement floor that was doused with bleach. Kyles was at the top of the stairs and admitted to pouring bleach on the kitten. The kitten was taken to a veterinarian who stated the kitten suffered chemically burned paws. Kyles was convicted of cruelty to companion animals and was sentenced to nine months in prison. The Eighth District Court of Appeals vacated the conviction stating the kitten was not “kept.” The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office will argue the law applies to every cat and dog regardless of where the animal is ‘kept’.”

According to Ohio law, there is a difference between animal cruelty and animal cruelty of a “companion animal”. The law says “‘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”. The difference in animal cruelty and cruelty of a “companion animal” is a misdemeanor vs. a felony.

In their arguments, the defense claimed that the inclusion of the word “is kept” means that not all dogs or cats are considered companion animals, and that strays do not count. The prosecutor’s office is claiming that the inclusion of “is kept” is irrelevant. The prosecutor’s office believes that all dogs and cats should be considered companion animals.

The Supreme Court now will decide whether to take up the case.