Nitro's Law HB70

[Sharon Bank]

Many of you know that I have been supporting the family of Nitro, the Rottie that lost his life from starvation 

when in the care of a dog trainer/kennel in Youngstown, Ohio owned by Steve Croley.  For background 

information, visit www.NitroFoundation.com.  Click the link to the first video as it will tell the whole story.  

Nitro's Law, HB70, passed the House and now it is in the Senate.  HB70 will make animal abuse a felony 

in the State of Ohio.  Currently it is only a misdemeanor.  Steve Croley of High Caliber K9 Training starved 

19 dogs in the incident where 8 of them died.  He received 4 months in jail and 3 years probation.  In less 

than 1-1/2 years, he will be able to own and train dogs again.

We need everyone's help because there is a possibility that HB70 will be dropped unless it is heard in 

the Senate this year.  Nitro's owners are urging everyone to make one phone call or e-mail to support 

this cause so that it can get heard in the Senate.  We only have 2 months to get this done, or it dies.  This is an excerpt from their Facebook page:

NitroFoundation Nitro Please just make this 1 phone call today - it's so important for the animals!
Call Chairman Tim Grendell Phone: [phone] or Email: [e-mail] of the Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice Committee. Chairman Grendell is able to decide whether Nitro’s Law HB70 will advance. If the bill doesn't get to the floor for a vote by the end of the year, IT DIES AND NOTHING CHANGES FOR THE ANIMALS.

THIS IS IT - WE HAVE 2 MONTHS TO GET NITRO'S LAW HB70 PASSED OR THE...

THIS IS IT - WE HAVE 2 MONTHS TO GET THIS PASSED OR THE BILL DIES AND NOTHING CHANGES FOR THE ANIMALS....

By:NitroFoundation Nitro

[Sharon Bank]

I called the Senator's office, and I also wrote an e-mail. If anyone wants an idea for a short e-mail, here is the one that I sent. You can copy and paste it if you want. I also urge you to call their office at 614-644-7718. Any residents of Ohio are encouraged to call, as they will have the greatest impact. Remember that it's your vote that put Senator Grendell into office. All US residents should call or write regardless of where you live, but I think Ohio residents will have the greatest impact. When I made my call today, they did not ask where I lived.

e-Mail to: [e-mail]

Dear Senator Grendell,

I urge you to support HB70, Nitro's Law, and make sure it gets advanced to the Senate for vote. The laws in Ohio need to change with respect to animal abuse. Ohio is one of the few states in this great nation that still treat animal abuse as a misdemeanor. Please support HB70.

Thank you!

Best regards,

Name
Address
Telephone

[Sharon Bank]

Ohio residents are also urged to go to the Animal Legal Defense Fund website, and sign the petition:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?actio...

PLEASE, PLEASE do this now. We cannot let this Bill die. It needs to reach the Senate floor before the end of the year, otherwise YOUR dogs that reside in the State of Ohio will be at risk.

[Sharon Bank]

Here is another sample e-mail that can be copied and pasted. Also note that there is another name of a Senator that needs to get this e-mail. I already e-mailed and called Senator Grendell. I will call and e-mail Senator Jim Hughes on Wednesday. Will you please do the same? Don't forget that one of the starving dogs was just in a boarding situation. This can happen to ANYONE!

Please take a moment to send this email/sample letter to the Senators and especially Senator/Chairman Tim Grendell
and Senator/Vice-Chair Jim Hughes:

Dear Sirs:

We the undersigned urge you to support Nitro's Law HB70...a bill to amend sections 959.131 and 959.99 of the
Revised code committing cruel treatment of a companion animal by the animal's custodian or caretaker.

This also includes giving a prosecutor who prosecutes an owner of a kennel of dogs who commits cruel treatment
of a companion animal discretion in prosecuting the owner for the offense as a FELONY.

We need to let those who harm animals know that animal cruelty cases are taken seriously and they can and will
be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We ask that you please address Nitro's Law HB70 after your return from recess. If Nitro's Law doesn't get to the floor for a vote by the end of the year it dies and nothing changes for the animals.

Thank you

Contact Chairman Tim Grendell
Phone [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Contact Vice-Chair Jim Hughes
Phone [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[Sharon Bank]

I must say that I am a little bit disappointed that no one has responded to this post. I will get over it though, so don't mind me! We need everyone's help though in making sure this law doesn't get dropped. It passed in the House in February 2010 by a margin of 59-36, but since that time the lawmakers in Ohio have ignored it. If this bill doesn't advance to the Senate by the end of the year, it will be dead.

Keep in mind that what happened to Nitro could happen to anyone's dog. Steve Croley starved these dogs even though unopened bags of dog food were found in his garage. He was a well regarded dog trainer with a very nice kennel. Something happened, and he quit feeding the dogs that were in his care. He is not paying for his crimes. In just over 13 months, this man will be allowed to buy dogs, train dogs for other people and board dogs. This just isn't right after he let 8 dogs starve to death and nearly starved 11 others.

I don't live in Ohio, and I will never board one of my dogs there, but I have enough passion for this cause that I intend to do everything in my power to make animal cruelty a felony in the State of Ohio. Nitro's owners also don't live in Ohio -- they live in New York, but they are the ones who made enough stink to get the law written and passed in the House. Please, please don't ignore this. Take time to write to the Senator. It will only take you 5 minutes. Do it for the sake of the dogs that lost their lives, and for our friends in Ohio.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

The bill requires Senate approval before it becomes law.

Please call or email Chairman Tim Grendell. Nitro's Law, HB70, has been sitting in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee since February 2010. If the bill doesn't get to the floor before the end of the year, it will die in committee and nothing will change for the animals.

Chairman Grendell is able to decide whether Nitro's Law, HB70, will advance to the floor for a vote. Call or email him today and ask him to push it through. Phone: [phone] or email: [e-mail]

[Eryn Scroggin]

Sharon,

I sent in an email today! Thank you for notifying everyone on this. I remember Nitro from several months back when you told me about his story and I read about it on the website. I have also got a few more people to write in as well. I hope this law passes and I will spread the word. Rest in peace Nitro

Eryn-

[Sharon Bank]

Thank you, Eryn! We need all of the help we can get. It will kill me if this Bill doesn't get heard in the Senate. It is a travesty, and no dog and dog owners should have to go through the heartache that Nitro's owners had to endure. I took a picture of them standing outside of the courtroom holding Nitro's ashes. It broke my heart, and I put myself in their shoes. I honestly don't know how they endured. It is hard to lose a pet and we know they are with us for only a short time, but to lose a pet under these circumstances would be more than I could bear.

This dog killer is out on the streets right now after only serving 4 months jail time, and paying a little over $1,000 in restitution to the animal charity that confiscated the animals. He will be able to own and harbor pets and earn money from dog training and boarding in about 13 months. It is a scary thought. The laws in Ohio are way too lax.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

Hugs,
Sharon

[Lee May]

How Devistating, that video should be streaming Nation wide, even on the major news networks. I would also like to know who would vote against this bill, the too should be blasted all over the news. I will send a email straight away. So sorry for this incredible loss, My heart and prayers go out to all. Thanks for all your strength!! Peace Lee

[Sharon Bank]

Thanks, Lee! I appreciate your support.

It is only with concerned citizens like yourself that we will be able to get this important Bill into law. I spoke with Liz yesterday (Nitro's owner), and she said that she is finding it much more difficult to get the law changed that she initially imagined. It is a shame that our politicians (who supposedly work for us and represent us) have let this Bill sit in the House for 10 months without doing one darn thing to get it into law.

Again, thanks! You did your good deed for the day!! :)

[Sweet Pea]

I sent off my email today also. I'm hoping others did also and just did not mention it here. As Lee stated, I can't imagine why anyone would vote against this bill. I wish I added that to my email!

[Sharon Bank]

Thanks, Kim! I appreciate it, and I know Nitro's family does too. I will let her know.

Hugs,
Sharon

[Lee May]

I told Senator Grendell that as well, who would vote aginst it, They should be noted. I try to do at least one good deed per day. LOL it kees the heart flowing. Good Luck Let meknow if there is any thing else I can do. Peace