OHIO, USA — There's no doubt that many people love animals. With the cold temperatures, you might be keeping a closer eye on your neighbors' pets, making sure they have a warm shelter and water.
But that isn't always the case. In that situation, you may feel like you need to step in.
Let's VERIFY how far you can go to legally provide help in Ohio.
THE QUESTION
Can you legally take someone's pet if it is clearly being neglected?
THE SOURCES
- Steven Haven, president of Toledo Humane Society
- The Ohio Revised Code
THE ANSWER
Yes, according to the Ohio Revised Code, you would have a right to take possession of an animal if you follow the letter of the law.
WHAT WE FOUND
Our sources are Stephen Heaven, the president of Toledo Humane Society and the Ohio Revised Code.
First, be on the lookout for signs of neglect.
"If the dog is constantly on a chain, doesn't have a dog house, it needs constant access to water, so those are a little bit easier to see, especially if you can get close enough to see if it is skinny," Heaven said.
The dog house should have hay or straw instead of blankets, Haven said, because blankets can get wet and freeze.
"I would advise people if they do decide to take it (a dog) to bring it to us and then we can look into the situation and see if it needs any other investigating," Heaven said.
The Ohio Revised Code covers the legality in section 1717.13:
"When, in order to protect any animal from neglect, it is necessary to take possession of it, any person may do so. When an animal is impounded or confined, and continues without necessary food, water, or proper attention for more than fifteen successive hours, any person may, as often as is necessary, enter any place in which the animal is impounded or confined and supply it with necessary food, water, and attention, so long as it remains there, or, if necessary or convenient, he may remove such animal; and he shall not be liable to an action for such entry. In all cases the owner or custodian of such animal, if known to such person, immediately shall be notified by him of such action. If the owner or custodian is unknown to such person, and cannot with reasonable effort be ascertained by him, such animal shall be considered an estray and dealt with as such.
The necessary expenses for food and attention given to an animal under this section may be collected from the owner of such animal, and the animal shall not be exempt from levy and sale upon execution issued upon a judgment for such expenses."
In taking a person's pet, you would have to notify the owner. That step is mandatory.
Heaven said if you think it is an emergency, you can call the police on the non-emergency number.
If you think an animal should be checked on, you can call your area humane society.
MORE FROM OUR VERIFY TEAM: