(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Fighting dog" means a dog that a peace officer has probable cause to believe has been, is, or is intended to be used in dogfighting in violation of section 959.16 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Impounding entity" means the entity that has possession of an impounded fighting dog during its impoundment.

(3) "Peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Violation" means a violation of section 959.16 of the Revised Code or an attempt, in violation of section 2923.02 of the Revised Code, to violate section 959.16 of the Revised Code.

(B) A peace officer may seize and cause to be impounded with an impounding entity a fighting dog that the peace officer has probable cause to believe is involved in a violation.

(C) A fighting dog that is seized under this section may be humanely destroyed under either of the following circumstances:

(1) During its seizure if it is necessary because the fighting dog is suffering;

(2) At any time during its impoundment if a licensed veterinarian determines it to be necessary because the fighting dog is suffering.

(D) Procedures, requirements, and other provisions that are established in divisions (C), (E), (F), and (G) of section 959.132 of the Revised Code shall apply to the seizure, impoundment, and disposition of a fighting dog. For purposes of that application, references in those divisions of section 959.132 of the Revised Code to "companion animal," "impounding agency," "officer," and "offense" shall be deemed to be replaced, respectively, with references to "fighting dog," "impounding entity," "peace officer," and "violation" as defined in this section. Likewise, references in those divisions of section 959.132 of the Revised Code to "section 959.131 of the Revised Code" shall be deemed to be replaced with references to section 959.16 of the Revised Code, as applicable.

Effective Date: 2008 HB71 09-30-2008