S.B. No. 286 Summary

• Increases penalties for assaulting police dogs and horses, including mandatory prison terms and fines when the dog or horse is killed.

• Requires a mandatory third-degree felony conviction with mandatory prison time if a police dog or horse is killed, and a mandatory fine to be paid to the law enforcement agency that owned or was served by the animal.

• Specifies that mandatory fines paid to law enforcement agencies must be used for: reimbursing the original owner's costs if not agency-owned, replacing the killed animal, training the replacement, and further training to match the deceased animal's skill level.

• Establishes sentencing guidelines for various levels of assault on police dogs and horses, ranging from misdemeanor charges for minor physical harm to third-degree felony charges for death.

• Amends sections 2921.321, 2929.13, and 2929.18 of the Ohio Revised Code regarding penalties and sentencing for crimes against police dogs and horses.