Section 109.747. Rules governing training of peace officers on companion animal encounters and companion animal behavior

The attorney general shall adopt, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code or pursuant to section 109.74 of the Revised Code, rules governing the training of peace officers on companion animal encounters and companion animal behavior. The provisions of the rules shall include all of the following:

(A) A specified amount of training that is necessary for satisfactory completion of basic training programs at approved peace officer training schools, other than the Ohio peace officer training academy;

(B) The time within which a peace officer is required to receive that training, if the peace officer is appointed as a peace officer before receiving that training;

(C) A requirement that the training include training in all of the following:

(1) Handling companion animal-related calls or unplanned encounters with companion animals, with an emphasis on canine-related incidents and the use of nonlethal methods and tools in handling an encounter with a canine;

(2) Identifying and understanding companion animal behavior;

(3) State laws and municipal ordinances related to companion animals;

(4) Avoiding a companion animal attack;

(5) Using nonlethal methods to defend against a companion animal attack.

(D) As used in this section, "companion animal" has the same meaning as in section 959.131 of the Revised Code.

Added by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2015.