05/30/2026
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Ohio has just taken a powerful stand for animalsâand itâs one that could change lives.
In a unanimous 7â0 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the stateâs felony animal cruelty law, known as Goddardâs Law, applies to all cats and dogsâwhether they have an owner or not.
The law is named after Dick Goddard, a beloved Cleveland TV meteorologist who became widely known not just for forecasting the weather, but for his deep commitment to animal welfare. For decades, he used his platform to speak out against cruelty and promote pet adoptionâhelping inspire stronger protections for animals across the state.
Until now, Ohio's lower court had interpreted the law differently, ruling that only pets receiving care qualified for felony protectionâmeaning harming a stray could be treated as a lesser offence.
That has now changed.
The case began with a heartbreaking act of cruelty in 2021, when a stray kitten in a Cleveland apartment basement was attacked. The conviction that followed was later overturned on appeal, sparking outrage and prompting major animal welfare groupsâincluding the Humane Society of the United States, Alley Cat Allies, Cleveland Animal Protective League, and the Animal Legal Defense Fundâto step in and push for clarity.
With this ruling, there is no longer a distinction between a pet and a stray when it comes to protection under the law.
Every cat. Every dog. Protected.
Ohio now stands as one of the strongest states in the country for animal protectionâsending a clear message that cruelty, no matter who the animal belongs to, will be taken seriously.
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