VICTORY: Ohio Supreme Court Rules All Cats Protected as Companion Animals, Informed by Alley Cat Allies Amicus Brief

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Oct 23, 2024, 15:06 ET

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a unanimous decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled today that Ohio's companion animal cruelty law (R.C. 959.131) protects all cats, including community cats who are unowned and live outdoors, as "companion animals." Alley Cat Allies, the leader of the global movement to protect cats and kittens, filed an amicus brief that helped inform the decision.

Igor, 8 month old kitten, at center of cruelty case in Cleveland Ohio that led to the Supreme Court of Ohio decision that all cats including community cats are protected under animal cruelty laws.

The organization explained in its amicus brief that proper interpretation of the law includes community cats as "companion animals" rather than those cats being treated as a separate class of animal, which would exclude them from the heightened protections of R.C. 959.131. In its decision, the Ohio Supreme Court agreed that the law's definition of "companion animal" includes "any" cat or dog.

"This is a major victory for cats throughout Ohio, and ensures community cats are protected equally under animal cruelty laws," said Charlene Pedrolie, president and chief operating officer of Alley Cat Allies.

The decision was made in relation to the cruelty case of Igor, an 8-month-old kitten who was found immobile and distressed in a pool of bleach allegedly poured by Ohio resident Alonzo Kyles for the purpose of driving cats away. Though Kyles was originally convicted of felony animal cruelty, that decision was overturned by an appellate court that held there was not enough evidence Igor was "kept," meaning cared for or owned by a person. The appellate court opined that Igor's status as an owned or unowned cat was critical to the definition of companion animal and therefore, whether or not Igor was entitled to the protections afforded by R.C. 959.131.

The Ohio Supreme Court's new decision reversed that judgment and ruled that there is no need to find evidence that a cat or dog is "kept" to classify them as a "companion animal." They are all companion animals regardless. This will impact rulings on animal cruelty cases throughout the state, particularly those involving community cats, who do not have owners and are often cared for by caregivers who cannot always be identified.

Alley Cat Allies is celebrating the ruling as a lifesaving victory for cats across Ohio, who will be equally protected under the law whether they live indoors or outdoors.

About Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest.

Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization for cats with a mission to transform and develop communities to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Together with our over 1.4 million supporters, we work toward a world where cats are valued and every community has humane and effective programs and policies to defend them.

Through our fearless advocacy, humane care, education and outreach, and law and policy activism, we equip and mobilize citizens, advocates, grassroots groups, shelters, veterinary professionals, and elected officials across the United States and around the world to improve their communities for cats through nonlethal, evidence-based approaches. Our website is www.alleycat.org and we are active on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies