Willie Nelson Blasts Ohio’s ‘Vicious’ Dog Law

Country music legend Willie Nelson fired off an email to the Ohio Senate last week, calling the state’s current breed-discriminatory dog law “archaic.”

According to Ohio state law, a dog is considered vicious if he has killed or seriously injured someone without provocation – or if he is a “breed that is commonly known as a ‘Pit Bull’ dog.”

“Ohio is the only state that discriminates against dogs who share a cluster of physical characteristics by classifying this group as ‘vicious’ without any regard to individual dog behavior,” Nelson wrote, according to the Toledo Blade.

“These dogs are considered ‘vicious’ at birth, even though there are countless dogs of unknown heritage who are deemed ‘Pit Bulls’ who are wonderful family pets. In addition to being beloved pets, many ‘Pit Bulls’ are show dogs, search-and-rescue dogs and service dogs.”

Nelson supports the passage of House Bill (HB) 14, which would remove breed-specific language from Ohio’s 24-year-old law.

Along with removing “Pit Bull” from the “vicious” and “dangerous” definitions, the new law would define a “dangerous” dog as one that has killed another dog or has three offenses as a “nuisance” dog. A “nuisance” dog would be one that has menacingly chased, approached or attempted to bite someone.

The bill passed the Ohio House 69-29 last spring. It is currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Some Ohio cities, including Toledo, have already dropped breed-specific legislation. The Toledo Blade reported that Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Township), who is sponsoring HB 14, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that although Toledo spent a lot of money each year “euthanizing innocent dogs that resemble Pit Bulls,” the number of dog bites rose in 2008.

“Toledo’s ordinance did not address the irresponsible owners,” Sears said. “It killed dogs.”

In his email, Nelson wrote, “The current law infringes on responsible dog owners’ rights to own any dog they choose, no matter what the dog’s appearance. Dogs, like people, are individuals and should each be judged on his/her own merits.”

PHOTO: @giovanni