Ohio Code 959.16 – Dogfighting offenses
(A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 959.16
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- Another: when used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property. See Ohio Code 1.02
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
(1) Promote, engage in, or be employed at dogfighting;
(2) Receive money or anything else of value for the admission of another person to a dogfighting event or a place kept for dogfighting;
(3) Sell, purchase, possess, or train a dog for dogfighting;
(4) Use, train, or possess a dog for seizing, detaining, or maltreating a domestic animal;
(5) Pay money or give anything else of value in exchange for admission to or be present at a dogfight;
(6) Witness a dogfight if it is presented as a public spectacle.
(B) The department of agriculture may investigate complaints and follow up rumors of dogfighting activities and may report any information so gathered to an appropriate prosecutor or law enforcement agency.
(C) Any peace officer, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, may seize and cause to be impounded in accordance with section 959.161 of the Revised Code any dogs that have been, are, or are intended to be used in dogfighting. In addition, any peace officer shall confiscate any equipment or devices used in training such dogs or as part of dogfights.