Shelter pet proposed as state pet

Ohio has the northern cardinal as the state bird and the white-tailed deer as the state animal, but it comes up short on a state pet.

New legislation could change that. State Rep. Laura Lanese introduced a bill recently that would designate a shelter pet as Ohio’s official state pet.

“When you see photos, or see (shelter pets) in person, you see the dejected look in their eyes,” Lanese said.

Lanese, a Republican from Grove City and the proud owner of two shelter dogs, wants to raise awareness of shelter pets through the bill.

“Hopefully, this is something that will spread the word to those who are lessinformed on this issue,” she said.

Each year, 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide and 1.5 million are euthanized, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The ASPCA supports Lanese’s bill and is working with her on it.

The “ASPCA encourages

people to make adoption their first option. We welcome this legislation, as it will honor the millions of lovable homeless dogs and cats across Ohio currently waiting to be adopted in shelters,” said Vicki Deisner, ASPCA state legislative director for the Midwest region.

If the bill becomes law, Ohio would join California, Colorado, Georgia and Tennessee as states that recognize rescued pets as state symbols.

This is not the first bill sponsored by Lanese that focuses on animals. She

introduced a bill in June that would allow dogs on restaurant patios.

The Columbus publichealth administrator sent a letter to restaurants in May reminding them that live animals — with the exception of service dogs — are not permitted on the premises of a food service or food retail operation. Allowing dogs on patios violates health codes, but some cities enforce the ban more strictly than others.

Lanese said she has heard from business owners who say they’ve seen a drastic drop in business since the May letter circulated.

Lanese, who wants businesses to have the option to allow dogs on patios, said she is adding language to the bill to clarify that dogs would be allowed only on outdoor patios.

Last week, Sen. Bill Coley, a Republican from West Chester, introduced a nearly identical bill that would allow dogs on patios, so state legislators in both chambers will have dog-related bills to consider when they return to session.