Ohio Animal Advocates

Along with running The Mark Bamberger Company, I am also the Board President of Ohio Animal Advocates (“OAA”). Through the years, I have satisfied my yin for animal protection by serving as pro bono general counsel for animal shelters and a wolf rescue and habitat. About 18 months ago, I got together with Vicki Deisner, Esq., the former executive director of the Ohio Environmental Counsel, and others to found OAA. OAA was Vicki’s dream, and she shared the dream with me of a clearinghouse for education, training, and information in Ohio for those wanting to protect and live harmoniously with non-human animals. Paula Wieser joined us as Board Vice President, Treasurer, and Webmaster, and Michelle Lanham, Esq. is now Board Secretary and Social Media Coordinator. Further, we now have a slate of dedicated volunteers that advise us in animal medical care, fundraising, and legal and educational matters.

For a long time now, there has been a need for such an organization. Ohio has lagged behind many other states in the protection of animals, and we felt it time to unify all the wonderful efforts around the State to move the cause forward. We are non-profit under §501(c)(3) of the federal tax code and do not do political lobbying. We focus on education and greater awareness of the needs in Ohio for the protection of domesticated and wild animals.

At www.ohioanimaladvocates.org, we currently have on-line information and resources for pet food pantries, animal cruelty reporting, legislative action alerts, wild animal trapping alternatives, community cat programs, breed-specific legislation concerns, affiliations and partnerships in animal protection, humane partner profiles, and compassionate education programs.

Visit the OAA Facebook page here.

A Proud Ohio Animal Advocate

As many, OK all, of you know by now, I am passionate about motorcycling. It is my number one hobby and I ride 17k-18 miles/year on my Honda Goldwing. But you may not also know that I am a militant animal advocate. For years I have served as pro bono general counsel for several animal shelters and a wolf rescue and sanctuary. Recently, I was offered the opportunity to serve as Founding Member and Board Vice President of the newly-forming animal advocacy group called “Ohio Animal Advocates” (“OAA”).

OAA’s Mission Statement:

Ohio Animal Advocates strive to protect Ohio’s animals from cruelty, abuse, and neglect. We work towards a world in which all animals are respected and protected through education, science, and advocacy. We collaborate with citizens, stakeholders, and policymakers throughout the State of Ohio to champion for humane policy and coexistence.

OAA’s Six Goals

  1. Develop a statewide network, trainings and a clearinghouse on critical issues impacting animals and humans, such as animal disaster planning, to encourage cooperation and collaboration among animal control agencies, humane shelters and rescues, local authorities and state agencies, social workers and veterinarians, local, state and national animal welfare organizations as well as grassroots organizations (i.e. hold annual meeting/training);
  2. Teach kindness to communities to enhance the human-animal bond and improve safety with and compassion for animals. Long-lasting, systemic change for animals will only come by transforming the way we think about, live with, care for and protect the nonhumans with whom we share our world (i.e. promote anti-tethering);
  3. Assist challenged communities with resources that will enable people to retain their pets (i.e. develop a database of free/reduced resources);
  4. Promote coexistence with wildlife and feral animals by educating the public how they can stay safe when living and recreating alongside these animals (i.e. eliminate trapping of wild animals);
  5. Develop a network of safe havens for the animals impacted by domestic violence, which will empower individuals to leave abusive home environments. Animal cruelty is inextricably linked to issues of family violence (i.e. develop a database of safe havens); and
  6. Develop a comprehensive approach to animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect in communities all across the state by identifying the root causes of that abuse and developing both short- and long-term solutions.

 

This is work I do “for me” and although I get great satisfaction over representing human animals in their divorce or employment or criminal case, I also try to spend time when I can helping non-human animals too.  Look for more about OAA on this blog in the coming months and feel free to help us out!

Ohio Animal Advocates – Ohio’s Voice for Animals

MJB/Spring Valley, Ohio 9/2018

But Who Gets Rover

So you are getting divorced. Sorry to hear that, but join the crowd. We here at The Mark Bamberger Company are doing dozens of them these days.  It is often clear who is getting residential custody of the minor children.[1] If there is a debate, often a Guardian Ad Litem[2] is appointed by the court to investigate what is best for the child/ren. But what about the non-human animals? That is far more complex in the eyes of the court.

Until recently, animals have been considered as property to do with as you do with a TV or sofa. In the current court system, especially in more liberal-thinking states, animals are given roughly the same legal rights as children in a divorce.[3] Their best interest is considered. Often, one of the divorcing parties wants “custody” of the dog, cat, horse, frog, fish, snake, raccoon, cow, ferret, or other non-humans in question. In that case, unless there is a battle (which believes me happens), that party will get custody of the animal and the other visitation rights. No, I’m serious. At a recent Ohio State Bar Association presentation, some of my most passionate questions circled around the idea of visitation rights to see Rover (name changed to protect the innocent).

Judges in Southwestern Ohio are becoming more open to the idea of viewing non-human animals as more than just property and though we are still far away from debating “Should Trees having Standing”[4], there is more understanding that dogs, cats, etc. have feelings and that the divorcing parties really do care about the pet and what happens to him or her.


[1] Custody to one parent almost always includes visitation to the other parent; either unsupervised or supervised.

[2] A Guardian Ad Litem (“GAL”) is a court-appointed representative, usually a practicing attorney, who interviews the child/en, their teachers, relatives, etc. and speaks for the children to the court. In Ohio, as in most states, the age when children can “speak for themselves” is nebulous, but often around 11-13; depending on the maturity of the children in question; as determined by an “in camera “ (in chambers) interview with the judge.

[3] States including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are giving more consideration to the “best Interest” of non-human animals.

[4] See the seminar environmental ethics essay “Should Trees Have Standing?: Law, Morality, and the Environment 3rd Edition,  Christopher D. Stone, ISBN-13: 978-0199736072

Animal Replevin and Animal Custody

The Complexities of Considerations of Animal Law in Other Areas of Law Practice

by: Mark J. Bamberger, PhD, Esq.

Interdisciplinary planning for the care of pets and other animals can implicate itself in many practices of law other than core animal law. Areas such as estate planning, domestic relations (family law), criminal,  property, and

Interdisciplinary planning for the care of pets and other animals can implicate itself in many practices of law other than core animal law. Areas such as estate planning, domestic relations (family law), criminal law, property law, and environmental law must contemplate what happens to animals. Indeed that topic can generate passion and potential controversy in already contentious legal situations.

Click to review as published by the Ohio State Bar Association

Who Represents the Animals

pit-bull

First, what is animal law? In general, it relates to the legal protection and/or regulation of all non-human animals. For example, I am the general counsel for a few animal shelters in Ohio. Issues such as corporate formation of animal-related LLCs, implementation of proper insurance to protect those involved with the animal concern, and law suits filed by visitors and vendors to animal protection facilities are common issues that must be handled. There are also more large-scale animal concerns such as ranches, farms, and endangered species that involve animal, as well as more general environmental legal issues.

One of the biggest difference in the representation we perform for animal cases is that we do so on a pro bono basis (without charge). The reason is that I love animals, especially wolves and dogs. I do some legal work for Wolf Creek Wolf Habitat & Rescue in Brookville, Indiana. They are good people doing wonderful work in the protection and raising of wolves that would otherwise most likely be killed.

At an Ohio Bar Association in Cleveland, Ohio, I gave a presentation on animal law and how it effects other legal practices, including corporate, criminal, family, and general environmental law. Many, if not most, legal practitioners, at one time or another, will encounter an animal law case. Examples here include divorce with custody disputes over the family pet, the scary link between animal abuse and serial murder, dog bite law suits, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

More and more, society in general is turning on to the concerns of factory farms, slaughter houses, puppy mills , and other abusive situations. There will never be a day when non-humans have the same legal rights as we humans, but it would be nice if a little more understanding of and respect for the plight of animals was commonplace in our culture.


1 TMBC has offices in Tipp City, Enon, West Chester, and Spring Valley, Ohio. Check us out and contact us through www.bambergerlaw.com
2 Check them out at wolfcreekhabitat.org. They operate on donations and visitor fees alone. For a fee, you can go “sit with the wolves’; a definite bucket-list experience.
3 The Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq. (1973) is under constant attack by some in Congress and around the nation.
4 A little-known fact: The Amish communities are some of the worst violators of still-weak puppy mill laws.

Ohio’s Exotic Animal Control Law Aims to Balance Public Safety and Animal Owner Rights

Q:        What is the Exotic Animal Control Law?

A:        The Exotic Animal Control Law (EACL) is a new law in Ohio that restricts and regulates the ownership and use of what are called “exotic” animals. The law defines “exotic animals” to effectively include any non-human animal that is not ordinarily kept in households. Examples include wolves, tigers, snakes and non-domesticated reptiles.

Q:        What does the EACL require?

A:        The EACL, signed into law on June 5, 2012, addresses the ownership and use of exotic animals by providing for “reasonable regulation of a highly risky, unpredictable activity with the potential for sudden and widespread harm” to the community. The EACL requires owners of exotic and dangerous animals to register and train them. Exotic animal owners and any facilities they may own and operate must be appropriately inspected and insured. Also, exotic animals must be cared for humanely and carefully and tracked (by means that include the use of microchips).

Some of the law’s rules have not yet been finalized. They include regulations about how exotic animals are to be transported and transferred from one permit holder to another, and provisions for a “dangerous and restricted animal fund” to be collected from permit applications and fines for the benefit of these animals.

Q:        Why was the Exotic Animal Control Law passed in Ohio?

A:        Many states have preceded Ohio in passing similar control laws. In Ohio, legislators proposed animal control laws in response to a 2011 incident near Zanesville, Ohio, involving more than 50 exotic animals that were suddenly released into the community by their owner. Law enforcement officers ultimately killed the released animals to protect the human population.

According to the language in Ohio’s Exotic Animal Control Law, this legislation was passed to provide a “reasonable balance” between the rights of exotic animal owners and the safety of the general public. Animal care professionals have reviewed the language and spirit of the bill, incorporating “best practices” into its requirements so that the potential danger and volatility associated with exotic animal ownership is reduced and the general public protected.

Q:        If I own only a few exotic animals, does this law affect me?  

A:        Yes. Every Ohio citizen or anyone doing business in Ohio is assumed to be covered under the EACL. If you own any exotic animal, the EACL technically applies to you. If you own even one exotic animal, such as a boa constrictor or a wolf, be aware that you must bear responsibility for EACL-required licensing, training and maintenance, which can be expensive.

Q:        Where can I find more information about exotic animal control laws?

A:        You can find summaries of some of the exotic animal control laws in various states across the United States at www.bornfreeusa.org.

This “Law You Can Use” column was provided by the Ohio State Bar Association. It was prepared by Dr. Mark J. Bamberger, Ph.D., J.D., The Mark Bamberger Co., LLC (offices in Tipp City, West Chester, Enon and Spring Valley, Ohio). Articles appearing in this column are intended to provide broad, general information about the law. Before applying this information to a specific legal problem, readers are urged to seek advice from an attorney.

The Exotic Animal Control Law: The Tension Inherent in Animal Law

Bamberger Animal Law

Mark J. Bamberger, Esq., Owner/Attorney at Law

The Mark Bamberger Co., LLC[1]

 

The Zanesville, Ohio exotic animal tragedy[2] received international publicity; not in a good way. There has always existed a tension between our love for wild animals, our concern for their safety and preservation, and the need for their rationale isolation from our community. Further, we have to consider limits on the intrusion upon the privacy and freedom of the individual owners. [3]

Sadly, we are far from the day when non-humans can have reasoned legal protections under our human-derived and human-intended legal system. Following Zanesville, there were some calls for an absolute ban on private ownership of wild and dangerous animals. This was an extreme approach in the eyes of some. Ohio’s Senate Bill 310 (and later House Bill 483) was proposed to maintain a balance between competing parties on this sensitive issue. It was carefully drafted; taking into account both the testimony from a wide variety of experts in the field of exotic and dangerous animals and from owners of such animals.[5] The need for this regulation was clear. The Governor’s office stated that “…while Ohio law is clear on the state’s authority to regulate native species of wild animals, it is unclear about the authority that the state has to regulate dangerous non-native species of wild animals”.[6] Also, “…[the] bill introduced in the [Ohio] State Legislature (SB 310/HB 483) would ban the acquisition, sale, and breeding of restricted species. If passed, the new law would: (1) Prohibit new possession of dangerous wild animals; (2) Prohibit all sales and transfers of dangerous wild animals; and (3) Authorize officials to inspect dangerous wild animals already in someone’s possession. Keeping wild and exotic animals as pets threatens public health and safety as well as animal welfare.[7]

Now signed into law, SB 310/HB 483 became the Exotic Animal Control Law (“EACL”) on June 5, 2012. It provides reasonable regulation of a highly risky, often unpredictable activity with the potential for sudden and widespread harm to our community. This regulation includes various requirements for the registration and training of the owners of exotic and dangerous animals. These includes mandates that owners and facilities owned or operated by them be appropriately inspected and insured and that such animals be humanely and carefully cared for, tracked (including the usage of microchips), transported and transferred from one permit holder to another. Finally, the EACL provides for a dangerous and restricted animal fund, into which shall be deposited permit application fees, fines, and other monies collected pursuant to provisions of the bill.

Sadly, many of these exotic animals were bought legally by Ohio residents as “trophy pets”. In some instances drug lords or those finding a personal zoo desirable bought these amazing animals and built make-shift cages and pens for them; without a clue as to the expense and expertise needed to properly care for them – let alone the abuse of caging a wild animal in a small suburban locale. Until recently, they were summarily killed by law enforcement when the drug lord was arrested or the zoo disbanded. Recently, there has been a movement to provide local sanctuary for those animals.[8] Two local examples of these are Wolf Creek Wolf Sanctuary & Rescue in Brookville, Indiana and Heaven’s Corner Zoo & Animal Sanctuary in West Alexandria, Ohio.

Perhaps most importantly, this legislation provides a reasoned balance between the rights of those who own or wish to own exotic animals and the safety of the general public. The language and spirit of the bill has been vetted by animal care experts and incorporates best practices in what can be a dangerous and volatile hobby/profession/etc. The bill is undeniably in response to the horrific images played around the world when one careless and mentally ill animal owner acted with complete disregard for his neighbors. While no legislation can guarantee the prevention of what occurred in Zanesville, this bill will create safeguards and regulations which give the government the power needed to monitor dangerous animal owners and protect the public from those who would fail to keep those animals responsibly.

The law, which becomes active in 2014, provides for formation of an advisory board, which consists of representatives from the state departments of agriculture and natural resources, the state veterinarian in the Ohio Department of Agriculture, representatives from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, from the Zoological Association of America, veterinarians, humane societies, the governor’s office, the public at large, and from owners of such animals. The bill was also drafted according to generally accepted zoo and aquarium standards, and generally accepted veterinarian practices.

Tactically, this was an interesting political intersection of strange bedfellows. The conservatives in the Ohio Legislature were concerned about the infringement on personal liberties. Rep. Terry Boose (R-Norwalk), who was one of four members who voted against reporting the bill out of committee, believed the bill heavily encroached on people’s property rights. While he agreed that some regulations for exotic animals must be in place, he explained that SB310 was “overly restrictive.”[9] While some members tout the bill as creating stronger public protection against such actions, Boose believes the additional rules could make it more difficult for exotic animal owners to comply. “Just because you add more rules, doesn’t make it safe,” Boose explained. “I had too many people tell me in their testimony that — what happened in Zanesville — this bill will not stop, and it could happen all over again even with this bill.” Before reporting SB310 out of committee, Chairman Dave Hall (R-Killbuck) presented and saw passed an omnibus amendment that added several new provisions to the bill:
1. Requires the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODAg) director to seek approval from the

Ohio General Assembly before adding new species to the definition of “Dangerous Wild Animal” and “Restricted Snake.”

2. Changes the ownership fees depending on the number of animals owned: an owner of one

to three dangerous animals would pay $250 a year; the owner of four to 10 dangerous animals would pay $500 a year; the owner of 10-15 dangerous animals would pay $1,000 a year; and owners of 16 animals would pay $1,000 a year plus an additional $125 per animal.

3. Exempts lemurs; pygmy, white-tufted-ear, silvery and black-penciled marmosets; squirrel

monkeys; and brown, white-faced, weeping and white-fronted capuchins. However, all animals must still be registered with ODAg at no fee.

4. Includes a representative from the boards of health on the Dangerous and Restricted Animal Advisory Board.

5. Permits the dangerous and restricted animal funds to be used to compensate boards of health for costs incurred while capturing dangerous wild animals and restricted snakes.
6. Prohibits rescue facility operators from purchasing dangerous wild animals.

7. Requires the wildlife shelter applicant to also submit a plan-of-action in the case of an animal escape to the local fire chief and

8. Excludes domesticated animals which are considered livestock from the definition of dangerous wild animal.

The committee also accepted an amendment presented by Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus) which allowed permissive language for local municipalities to keep their own exotic animal laws intact as long as the laws are more stringent than the laws included in SB310.[10] The bill was reported out of committee after a marathon session of 15 hours in which the testimony of 58 witnesses was taken.[11]

Conversely, the more liberal thinkers in the Legislature also were concerned about animal

rights and protections. On one hand they wanted to protect private owners’ rights to keep these animals. Yet they accepted the need for community protection. Many current owners believe the law went way too far. This author represents several clients who own animals classified as “wild”. Although they accept the strict legal liability statutes of such ownership, these animals are as much part of their family as dogs and cats are to most of us. They believe the law is too expensive and too restrictive for those owning one or two animals and will make such activity cost-prohibitive. They liken this regulation to “killing a mosquito with a 341 Magnum”.

Personally, the EACL legislation leaves this author conflicted. My love and adoration of non-human animals leads me to want them kept safe; and preferably in the wild where they are happy and safe – not in zoos or personal collections where they are often confined if not abused and tortured. Seeing a wolf or tiger or boa is a wonderful, moving experience. Seeing them in a little cage and knowing they cannot live out their natural lives as they would wish is heart wrenching. Countering those “tree hugging” feelings is the attorney in me who knows that regulation is mandatory to protect the greater good of the community. In protecting the community, the local police had no option but to execute those beautiful animals in Zanesville. That fact, in and of itself, told us that something was seriously wrong with the system we had. Until wild animal rescues and sanctuaries are established and promulgated through the region, these animals need our physical and legal protection. Perhaps the EACL is a good “first-step” to finding a way to balance that tension between love for animals and need for safety in our community.

 


[1] The Mark Bamberger Co., LLC is a general practice law firm with offices in Tipp City, West Chester, Enon, and Spring Valley, Ohio. TMBC focuses on animal and environmental law, family law, bankruptcy, employment law, civil and criminal litigation, and criminal defense.

[2] For those unaware, Mr. Terry Thompson of Zanesville freely and, at the time legally maintained a large cadre of more than 50 exotic animals, including various species of wild cats and bears (see picture above). These animals were abused and improperly feed and maintained. On October 19, 2011, Thompson brazenly and willfully released all of the wild and exotic animals into the community; then took his own life.

[3] Credit is given to Kyle Silvers, Esq., a founding member and the chairwoman of the Ohio Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee, for her generous and critical contribution to this article.

[4] Picture taken from http://thedailywh.at/2011/10/19/follow-up-of-the-day-sad-end-for-zanesvilles-wild-animals/

[5] Comments made by Kyle Silver, Esq. at the formal Senate hearings on this topic

[6] Quote taken from www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/111021/john-kasich-executive-order

[7] Official statement regarding SB310 by The Animal Legal Defense Fund

[8] The author supports, for example, the Wolf Creek Wolf Rescue and Sanctuary, located in Brookville, Indiana. Wolf Creek’s mission is to save wild, wounded, and abused wolves and wolf hybrids from torture or euthanasia. Donations and other support is appreciated. See more at www.nighthowls7.com.

[9] Story originally published in The Hannah Report on May 16, 2012. Copyright 2012 Hannah News Service, Inc.

[10] Id.

[11] Additional information was gathered from Mary Amos Augsburger, Esq., Legislative Counsel of Ohio State Bar Association

[12] Picture taken from http://thedailywh.at/2011/10/19/follow-up-of-the-day-sad-end-for-zanesvilles-wild-animals/

Mark Bamberger, PhD, JD Educates on Animal Law at the 2012 Ohio State Bar Association Annual Convention

Mark Bamberger, PhD, JD Educates on Animal Law at the 2012 Ohio State Bar Association Annual ConventionAs a part of the 2012 Ohio State Bar Association’s annual convention, local attorney Mark Bamberger presented to his peers his publication entitled, A Litigator’s Guide to Fitting Animals into Environmental Law, a paper which deals with primarily the fact that animals in Ohio find very little protection under the law.
Continue reading Mark Bamberger, PhD, JD Educates on Animal Law at the 2012 Ohio State Bar Association Annual Convention