To amend section 959.16 of the Revised Code to apply certain impoundment provisions in the companion animal statutes to the confiscation of dogs under the statute prohibiting dog fighting.

Section 1. That section 959.16 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 959.16.  (A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Promote, engage in, or be employed at dogfighting;

(2) Receive money for the admission of another person to a place kept for dogfighting;

(3) Sell, purchase, possess, or train a dog for dogfighting;

(4) Use, train, or possess a dog for seizing, detaining, or maltreating a domestic animal;

(5) Purchase a ticket of admission to or be present at a dogfight;

(6) Witness a dogfight if it is presented as a public spectacle.

(B) The department of agriculture may investigate complaints and follow up rumors of dogfighting activities and may report any information so gathered to an appropriate prosecutor or law enforcement agency.

(C) Any peace officer, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, shall confiscate any dogs that have been, are, or are intended to be used in dogfighting and any equipment or devices used in training such dogs or as part of dogfights.

(D) Divisions (D) to (G) of section 959.132 of the Revised Code shall apply to dogs confiscated under division (C) of this section and to the owners, custodians, and caretakers of such dogs. For purposes of that application, references to section 959.131 of the Revised Code in those divisions shall be deemed to include this section.

Section 2. That existing section 959.16 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.