New Ohio Law Protects Social Workers And Veterinarians From Criminal Or Civil Liability If They Report Suspected Animal Abuse
Sadly social workers who have seen signs of what they suspect might be animal abuse, are reluctant to report it out of fear of retaliation from their client or perhaps violating their client’s privacy. Fortunately Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine has signed a bill that will attempt to change that. On April 6, 2021, Ohio House Bill 33 will take effect. It is a bill that makes it a requirement that a veterinarian or a social worker who suspects animal abuse must report it to authorities.
This law is also attempting to create a system of cross-reporting. If dog wardens or animal control officers witness animal, child or elder abuse they are mandated to report that to social services professionals. If the people that are reporting these incidents are doing so in a manner of “good faith”, they will be protected by the law making them immune from criminal or civil liability.
New Bill Would Make Animal Abuse A Fourth-Degree Misdemeanor
The bill was introduced in February of 2019 by two Republican representatives, Laura Lanese from Grove City, and Sara … Read More... “New Ohio Law – Mandatory Reporting of Animal Abuse”