Warren-Clinton News

COLUMBUS - The Ohio House has passed House Bill 503, legislation that prohibits the import of feral swine into Ohio, halts the hunting of feral swine, and ends the practice of garbage feeding of swine. The bill is sponsored by State Representatives Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) and Don Jones (R-Freeport).

House Bill 503 allows landowners to kill a feral hog without a license, but requires notification to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) within 24 hours. Rules for the preservation and disposal of the corpse must be followed. Additionally, ODNR must be notified within the same period if a feral hog is spotted. The bill also prohibits importing, transporting, or possessing live wild boar or feral swine.

“These nuisances are known carriers of diseases that are dangerous to both humans and livestock, such as African Swine Fever,” said Peterson. “If African Swine Fever was contracted into our commercial pig population, it would cost Ohio around $2.5 billion.”

The legislation addresses garbage feeding hogs, which can attract and sustain a feral hog population. The bill eliminates an existing license to feed swine garbage or treated garbage and prohibits bringing swine into the state that have been garbage fed. If the Department of Agriculture receives a tip about swine being fed garbage, they have the right to investigate.

“The potential for these non-native, disease-spreading nuisances to harm our farmer’s livelihoods is extremely concerning,” said Jones. “We must act now to protect Ohio’s land, crops, soil, and water.”

Each violation involving the hogs will carry a penalty of a first-degree misdemeanor with exceptions for importing, transporting, or possessing feral swine which carries a fifth-degree felony charge. The Department of Agriculture is also granted the authority to assess a civil penalty of $500 for feeding swine garbage with a maximum penalty of $1,000 for subsequent violations.

House Bill 503 now awaits further consideration from the Ohio Senate.