(A) The director of agriculture, after providing an opportunity for an adjudication hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may assess a civil penalty against a person who has violated or is in violation of sections 943.01 to 943.10 and 943.12 to 943.17 of the Revised Code. If the director assesses a civil penalty, the director shall do so as follows:
(1) In an amount not exceeding five hundred dollars if, within five years of the violation, the director has not previously assessed a civil penalty against the person under this section;
(2) In an amount not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars if, within five years of the violation, the director has previously assessed one civil penalty against the person under this section;
(3) In an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars if, within five years of the violation, the director has previously assessed two or more civil penalties against the person under this section.
(B) Money collected under division (A) of this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the animal and consumer protection fund created in section 943.26 of the Revised Code.
Last updated July 30, 2025 at 5:46 PM