Ohio legislators may discuss removing pit bulls from the state's definition of vicious dogs.

House Bill 14 was introduced Jan. 11 by Republican Assistant Majority Leader Barbara Sears, of Sylvania near Toledo, which rivals Cleveland in the number of resident pit bulls.

She also introduced the bill in March 2009. It garnered just three co-sponsors and didn't make it out of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Pit bulls are plentiful in Cleveland, where the city kennel euthanized 968 of the 1,281 pit bulls it impounded last year. Because of the state law and comparable city ordinance, only those claimed by owners who had secure pens and $100,000 of liability insurance were allowed to leave.

Pit bulls made up 60 percent of the 1,600 dogs killed among the 4,078 impounded at the Cleveland Kennel.

Pit bull advocates say the vicious-dog law and the resultant killings are unfair to the vast majority of well-behaved pit bulls and their owners.

Anti-pit bull laws arose across the country after studies of media reports (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention pdf) showed pit bulls were responsible for the majority of fatal or serious-injury attacks on people.

Local groups involved in the hotly-debated issue include fortheloveofpits.org, ohiocoalitionofdogadvocates.com and canineadvocatesofohio.org.

Exotic pets

Outgoing Gov. Ted Strickland's emergency executive order Jan. 7 that banned the keeping of big cats, bears, wolves, non-human primates, venomous snakes and crocodilians was supposed to be in effect for 90 days and cause current owners of exotic animals to register with the state to be grandfathered in. But Gov. John Kasich blocked the order after hearing from "small-business owners with questions and concerns" and gave the Ohio Division of Wildlife up to 45 days to "provide a recommendation to Gov. Kasich on how to proceed," a Division of Wildlife spokeswoman said. The Humane Society of the United States is asking citizens in favor of the ban to also call the governor's office, 614-466-3555.

PAWS

The Public Animal Welfare Society in Cleveland is in the running this month for one of 10 $25,000 Pepsi Refresh grants that the nonprofit group will use to pay veterinary bills and help pet owners affected by the economy pay for veterinary care. Grant winners are chosen by the public voting at refresheverything.com before midnight Jan. 31. PAWS rescued 72 dogs and 353 cats and kittens last year. Details: refresheverything.com/saveclevelandpets, pawsohio.org.

Summit dog tags

Animal Control workers will sell $14 dog licenses for 2011 at the PetSmart at 355 Howe Ave. in Cuyahoga Falls Saturday to give dog owners another chance to avoid paying a $14 late fee after Jan. 31.

Summit humane

Veterinarian Kerri Bowman was elected this month as chairwoman of the Humane Society of Greater Akron's board of directors. She joined the board in 2006 and will continue working to complete the shelter's new medical treatment and surgery center at 7996 Darrow Road, Twinsburg Township. The nonprofit group has raised more than $2.1 million toward its $5 million purchase and renovation plan for the facility it moved into in April. The group took in more than 2,000 animals and found homes for more than 1,200 last year.

Low-cost sterilization

Valley Save-A-Pet and two dozen veterinarians in Greater Cleveland have offered low-cost neuter services for three decades to low-income pet owners. Scheduling begins Monday at 440-232-2287 (440-232-CATS). Call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Thursday or Friday and the first and third Saturdays of each month until funds are gone. Last year, more than 1,400 cats and dogs were altered.

Dog fashions

Marilyn's Voice, which rescues dogs from puppy mills, will hold a fundraising dog fashion event from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Club K-9, 30400 Lakeland Blvd., Wickliffe. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed female and male dogs. Admission is $25 a person, $5 for one dog, $3 for each additional dog. Red-carpet photos for $1 each. Appetizers provided, drinks extra. Details: marilynsvoice.org, 440-376-9347.

Berea ARF

The Berea Animal Rescue Fund hosts its annual all-you-can-eat Soup-R-Bowl dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Berea High School. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12, for homemade soups, chili and wrap sandwiches (some for vegans), salad, beverages and dessert bar. There will be basket and 50/50 raffles, sideboard gambling, animal-related merchandise and cats and dogs needing homes. Donations of canned cat food, cat treats, laundry and dishwasher detergent, paper towels, garbage bags, used cell phones and ink cartridges and copy paper are needed. Details: 440-234-2034, bereaanimalrescue.com.

Horse sense

Angels Haven Horse Rescue hosts a minicourse in horse care from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, that ends with a horse ride at Evergreen Farm, 13297 Durkee Road, Grafton. A $10 donation includes a snack. Contact: 440-781-5060 or 5050, angelshavenhorserescue.org.

Therapy dogs

The Geauga Humane Society hosts a $125 therapy dog training seminar that begins Sunday, March 13. Owners interested in taking their dogs to hospitals, nursing homes, children's camps, schools or libraries must have them screened by a trainer Sunday, Feb. 6; call 440-285-4679 for an appointment. The trainer will then register the dogs for six sessions from 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township. Contact geaugahumane.org.

Stray cats

The Waterloo Alley Cat Project's second annual fundraiser is Friday, Feb. 11, at the Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. The event begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails and a basket raffle at the gallery at 16001 Waterloo Road, then moves at 9 p.m. to the tavern, where three local bands -- Filmstrip, Prisoners and Rainy Day Saints -- will perform without pay. Admission is $5, or $3 with a cat food donation of three cans or a small bag. All proceeds fund the sterilization and care of the feral cats living between East 156th Street and Waterloo Road and East 163rd Street and Trafalgar Avenue in the North Collinwood business district.

Business owner and project volunteer Debbie Gulyas said, "The sight of free-roaming cats and kittens can leave the impression of an uncaring community, but this is a community with a lot of heart and soul." More than 60 cats have been neutered and vaccinated since the all-volunteer group was founded in November 2009. Donations earmarked for the cats are collected by the Northeast Shores Development Corp. at 317 East 156th St., Cleveland, 44110.

Pet teeth

Big Creek Pet Hospital offers free pet dental screenings and discounted dental services from Monday through March 18 at 16949 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights. Call 440-234-5831 or e-mail bigcreekteam@bigcreekpet.com.

Lucky paws

The Lucky Paws Animal Rescue group in Cleveland raises money with raffles, a silent auction and side boards from 6 to 9 p.m. March 19 at Scoundrels Bar and Grille, 826 Front St., Berea. Admission is a $20 donation for pizza, wings, pasta, salad, soda, beer, well drinks and door prizes. Details; luckypawsrescue.org, 216-556-0811.

Send animal news to djmiller@plaind.com; fax 216-999-6374; 216-999-4852. Get more animal news at blog.Cleveland.com/metro/animals and blog.cleveland.com/missing-pets.