geauga humane society's rescue village
opposes issue 2

Position Statement

Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village supports the humane treatment of all animals. We believe that farm animals, including those being raised for food, should have humane treatment for the duration of their lives. One of our agency’s responsibilities is to enforce Ohio’s animal cruelty laws in Geauga County. This is part of our mission. Our humane programs and services range from operating a shelter which offers companion animal adoptions to providing humane education that reaches thousands of Geauga and Northeast Ohio residents who live in cities, villages and rural farming areas.

We oppose Issue 2 because it will take rights away from Ohio voters regarding their food supply and their ability to ensure humane treatment of livestock and poultry. Instead, agricultural policy decision making will be in the hands of a board made up of 13 people appointed by the governor and legislators. If the voter’s power is taken away, we can not ensure that this board will include representatives of family farmers, veterinarians, humane agencies, and experts opposed to inhumane treatment. To enshrine an industry-led board that has sweeping powers in the state constitution is a setback for the people and animals of this state.

If Issue 2 passes it will be harder to reform and improve the conditions and treatment of farm animals and poultry in Ohio. Current conditions include holding animals in pens and cages where they can not stand up, turn around or lie down comfortably. Laying hens, for example, are kept in cages no larger than a piece of notebook paper and live in their own body waste.

Issue 2 would create a Livestock Care & Standards Board stacked with representatives of BIG agriculture and factory farm supporters that, with the force of law, could override even the Ohio Assembly. This constitutional change would not make food safe or conditions more humane. It would be a national

precedent-setting empowerment of factory farming. WE NEED SAFE AND HUMANE STANDARDS FOR FOOD AND LIVESTOCK & POULTRY THAT ARE OVERSEEN BY THE PEOPLE OF OHIO. WE URGE YOU VOTE NO ON ISSUE 2.

The Board of Trustees has adopted this statement. Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village is a nonprofit humane society supported solely by private donations and grants. As a leader in animal welfare for 30 years, we are committed to sheltering and finding homes for sick, injured, abused and abandoned animals.  The Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village is located at 15463 Chillicothe Rd/RT 306, Novelty, OH 44072. For more information contact:

Hope Brustein, Executive Director 440.338.3819 Ext. 16 or Email: director@geaugahumane.org

Click here to print your own VOTE NO yard sign.

geauga humane society/rescue village position on breed specific legislation

The Geauga Humane Society/Rescue Village (GHS/RV) joins the ASPCA, the Humane Society of the United States, and hundreds of other agencies in opposing legislation aimed at eradicating or strictly regulating dogs based solely on their breed.

Ohio State Representative Tyrone Yates (D-Cincinnati) has introduced HB 568, legislation that would ban pit bulls throughout the state. HB 568 would require pit bull owners to turn in their dogs to the dog wardens for destruction. The bill would also authorize law enforcement to confiscate and kill any dog they suspect is a pit bull.

• There is no documented evidence that Breed Specific Legislation reduces dog bites or attacks.
• If HB 568 or a similar law were passed it would tear families apart, and devastate countless law-abiding, responsible Ohio dog owners.

Geauga Humane Society/Rescue Village is committed to keeping people and dogs safe. Dogs permitted by their owners to run loose and dogs who attack people or other animals, or who are trained to be aggressive are real and often serious problems in communities across the country.

Geauga Humane Society/Rescue Village seeks effective enforcement of breed-neutral laws that hold dog owners accountable for the actions of their animals. We believe that promoting and enforcing responsible pet ownership is the most reliable way to control aggressive dogs and reckless owners. This includes:

• Enhanced enforcement of dog license laws, with adequate fees to augment animal control budgets.
• Enhanced enforcement of leash/dog-at-large laws, with adequate penalties to ensure that the laws are taken seriously and to augment animal control funding.
• Dangerous dog laws that are breed-neutral and focus on the behavior of the individual dog, with mandated sterilization and microchipping of dogs deemed dangerous, and options for mandating muzzling, confinement, adult supervision, training, owner education and, in extreme circumstances, euthanasia.
• Laws that hold dog owners financially accountable for failure to adhere to animal control laws, as well as civilly and criminally liable for unjustified injuries or damage caused by their dogs.
• Laws that prohibit or limit chaining or tethering, coupled with enhanced enforcement of animal cruelty and animal fighting laws.

Breed Specific Legislation, such as Ohio HB 568, will not effectively address public safety from aggressive dogs nor will it protect animals from abuse and cruelty. Your elected officials need to know that you are against this. Please call or write your representative today to ask him or her to oppose HB 568. To find your elected representatives, click here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/

Adopted June, 2008