State v. Arnold , 2017 Ohio 326 ( 2017 )

[Cite as State v. Arnold, 2017-Ohio-326.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
SENECA COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 13-16-13
v.
LESTER C. ARNOLD, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court
Trial Court No. 15-CRB-1506A
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: January 30, 2017
APPEARANCES:
Gene P. Murray for Appellant
Charles R. Hall, Jr. for Appellee
Case No. 13-16-13
PRESTON, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Lester C. Arnold (“Arnold”), appeals the April
28, 2016 judgment entry of conviction and sentence of the Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal
Court, resulting from Arnold’s plea of no contest to a charge of failing to confine a
dangerous dog in violation of R.C. 955.22(D)(1). On appeal, Arnold argues that his
conviction should be overturned and that the trial court abused its discretion in
ordering, as part of Arnold’s sentence, that the dog be destroyed. For the reasons
that follow, we affirm.
{¶2} This case stems from a September 14, 2015 incident in which a Belgian
Malinois dog—for which Arnold was caring while his son was away—escaped from
Arnold’s residence and mauled a mailman. (See Doc. No. 2). On October 13, 2015,
a complaint was filed charging Arnold with one count of failing to confine a
dangerous dog in violation of R.C. 955.22(D)(1), a misdemeanor of the third or
fourth degree.1 (Id.). Arnold pled not guilty to the charge. (Doc. No. 6).
{¶3} On April 28, 2016, the trial court held a change-of-plea and sentencing
hearing. (Apr. 28, 2016 Tr. at 2). At that hearing, Arnold entered a plea of no
contest to the charge in the complaint. (Id. at 3-4). The trial court accepted Arnold’s
plea of no contest and found him guilty of the offense. (Id. at 4, 8). The trial court
1
R.C. 955.99(G) provides, “Whoever commits * * * a violation of division (D) of [R.C. 955.22] is guilty of
a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense and of a misdemeanor of the third degree on each
subsequent offense.”
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sentenced Arnold: to 60 days in jail with all 60 days conditionally suspended upon
compliance with the terms and conditions of probation; to two years on probation;
and to pay a fine of $250, plus court costs. (Id. at 12); (Doc. No. 17). The trial court
also ordered, among other things, that Arnold not own or harbor a dog while on
probation and that he submit “proof that dog has been put down by May 11, 2016.”
(Id.); (Id.). The trial court filed its judgment entry of conviction and sentence on
April 28, 2016. (Doc. No. 17).
{¶4} On May 11, 2016, Arnold filed a notice of appeal. (Doc. No. 20). He
raises one assignment of error for our review.
Assignment of Error
The trial court abused its discretion by improperly and
prejudicially indicating, anecdoting [sic], and wrongly factoring
in a self-interpreted directive to make a judgment that defendant-
appellant Lester Arnold should and would be found guilty, and
thereafter, said trial court prejudicially abused its discretion by
imposing a sentencing order to “put down” the dog named Caeto,
i.e. to kill the dog Caeto, a Belgian Malinois breed, unreasonably
ignoring other viable options for the fate of the canine, thereby
resulting in reversible error.
{¶5} It is unclear exactly what Arnold argues in his assignment of error. It
appears he argues that his conviction should be overturned because there was “no
evidence placed on the record” that the dog, Caeto, “was a vicious dog, prior to the
incident on September 14, 2015.” (Appellant’s Brief at 8). He also appears to
argue that the trial court abused its discretion when it “summarily ordered a death
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sentence for the dog” despite the existence of “an available donee for the dog Caeto
for training and service to law enforcement.” (Id. at 10).
{¶6} As an initial matter, Arnold’s brief fails to conform with the Rules of
Appellate Procedure because in it, Arnold raises issues that are not specifically
assigned as error and briefed according to App.R. 16. See Headings v. Ranco, Inc.,
3d Dist. Union No. 14-04-33, 2005-Ohio-1095, ¶ 6, citing Chem. Bank of New York
v. Neman, 52 Ohio St. 3d 204, 207 (1990) and Toledo’s Great E. Shoppers City, Inc.
v. Abde’s Black Angus Steak House No. III, Inc., 24 Ohio St. 3d 198, 202-203 (1986).
Rather, Arnold appears to make multiple, unrelated arguments under a single
assignment of error, which is unclear and unartfully worded at that. Under App.R.
12(A), we are not required to address the issues that Arnold raises improperly. Id.
Nevertheless, in the interest of justice, we will address the issues raised in the
“ARGUMENT” section of Arnold’s brief,2 although we will construe those issues
narrowly.
2
Under the “CONCLUSION” portion of Arnold’s brief, he appears to raise yet another issue. There, Arnold
argues that the trial court “appeared to be inappropriately taking a victory lap” by referring to a prior,
unrelated criminal case against Arnold’s son and that this “directional case-in-pointing by the victory lapping
trial court” was improper. (Appellant’s Brief at 11-12). Under App.R. 16(A)(8), an “appellant shall include
in its brief * * * [a] conclusion briefly stating the precise relief sought.” (Emphasis added.) The conclusion
portion of a brief is not a place to raise issues not argued in the argument portion of the brief, and we decline
to address Arnold’s argument. At any rate, it is unclear precisely what Arnold is arguing in his conclusion.
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{¶7} We will first address Arnold’s argument that his conviction should be
overturned. Arnold was charged with violating R.C. 955.22(D)(1).3 That statute
provides:
(D) Except when a dangerous dog is lawfully engaged in hunting or
training for the purpose of hunting and is accompanied by the owner,
keeper, harborer, or handler of the dog, no owner, keeper, or harborer
of a dangerous dog shall fail to * * *:
(1) While that dog is on the premises of the owner, keeper, or
harborer, securely confine it at all times in a locked pen that has a top,
locked fenced yard, or other locked enclosure that has a top * * *.
R.C. 955.22(D)(1). “‘Dangerous dog’ means a dog that, without provocation, * * *
has done any of the following: (i) Caused injury, other than killing or serious injury,
to any person; (ii) Killed another dog; (iii) Been the subject of a third or subsequent
violation of [R.C. 955.22(C)].” R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a), cited in R.C. 955.22(A) (“As
used in this section, ‘dangerous dog’ has the same meaning as in [R.C. 955.11].”).
3
Although the complaint charges Arnold with violating R.C. 955.22(D)(1), the complaint alleges that Arnold
failed to confine a vicious dog. The complaint also alleges that the alleged violation of R.C. 955.22(D)(1) is
a misdemeanor of the first degree. R.C. 955.22 was amended in 2012 by Sub.H.B. 14. See Lima v. Stepleton,
3d Dist. Allen No. 1-13-28, 2013-Ohio-5655, ¶ 48 (Preston, J., dissenting). By that amendment, all references
to “vicious” dog were removed from that statute, and a violation of R.C. 955.22(D)(1) is either a fourth-
degree or third-degree misdemeanor. See Sub.H.B. 14, 2012 Ohio Laws File 75. In the proceeding below
and on appeal, the parties mistakenly refer to “vicious” dog rather than “dangerous” dog. Nevertheless,
Arnold did not challenge in the trial court and does not challenge on appeal the contents of the complaint.
Accordingly, we will not address that issue.
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{¶8} R.C. 2937.07 governs a trial court’s actions relative to a plea of “no
contest” in a misdemeanor case. See State v. Smyers, 5th Dist. Muskingum No.
CT03-0039, 2004-Ohio-851, ¶ 11. That statute provides, in relevant part: “A plea
to a misdemeanor offense of ‘no contest’ or words of similar import shall constitute
an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint and that the judge or
magistrate may make a finding of guilty or not guilty from the explanation of the
circumstances of the offense.” Absent an explanation of the circumstances of the
offense, “a no contest plea may not be the basis for a finding of guilty.” City of
Cuyahoga Falls v. Bowers, 9 Ohio St. 3d 148, 150 (1984). In this case, Arnold
appears to argue that absent from the record is an explanation that the dog “was a
vicious dog, prior to the incident on September 14, 2015.” (Appellant’s Brief at 8).
However, as we will explain below, Arnold waived the explanation-of-the-
circumstances requirement of R.C. 2937.07; therefore, it was not error for the trial
court to find Arnold guilty absent an explanation that the dog was dangerous as
defined in R.C. 955.11.
{¶9} “Although R.C. 2937.07 is mandatory, a defendant could invite
noncompliance with the statute or waive its requirements,” including the
explanation of the circumstances. State v. Vittorio, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 09 MA
166, 2011-Ohio-1657, ¶ 17, citing State v. Howell, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 04 MA
31, 2005-Ohio-2927, ¶ 20, citing City of N. Ridgeville v. Roth, 9th Dist. Lorain No.
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03CA008396, 2004-Ohio-4447, ¶ 12. Indeed, several Ohio courts “have held that
R.C. 2937.07 is waivable.” State v. Kern, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-14-1173, 2015-
Ohio-1988, ¶ 12, citing City of Broadview Hts. v. Burrows, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
79161, 2001 WL 1174264, *2 (Oct. 4, 2001), Smyers at ¶ 12, State v. Ritch, 4th Dist.
Scioto No. 97CA2491, 1998 WL 282970 (May 11, 1998), Roth at ¶ 12, and Howell
at ¶ 20.
{¶10} It does not appear that this court has addressed whether a defendant
may waive the requirements of R.C. 2937.07. We join the many other Ohio courts
that have held that the explanation-of-the-circumstances requirement of R.C.
2937.07 is waivable. See Kern at ¶ 12. We further hold that Arnold waived that
requirement in this case. At the change-of-plea and sentencing hearing, the
following exchange took place when Arnold, through counsel, entered his plea of
no contest:
[Trial Court]: And how does your client wish to plea plead
[sic], [Defense Counsel]?
[Defense Counsel]: No contest. Consent to a finding of guilt, Your
Honor. And there’s an actual basis.
[Trial Court]: And you understand, Mr. Arnold, by entering a
plea of no contest, you’re admitting the truth of
the facts as alleged on the face of the A charge.
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[Defendant]: Yes, sir.
[Trial Court]: And you understand what the maximum
possible penalties are.
[Defendant]: Yes, sir.
[Trial Court]: At this time, I’ll accept your pleas [sic] of no
contest.
(Apr. 28, 2016 Tr. at 3-4).
{¶11} The Seventh District Court of Appeals in Vittorio held that the
defendant, “with counsel, entered a stipulation of guilt, thereby waiving the [R.C.
2937.07] requirement.” Vittorio at ¶ 22. Specifically, the defendant’s counsel said
at the change-of-plea hearing, “We would waive any defects in the preparation and
service of the amended complaint stipulate [sic] to a finding of guilt.” Id. at ¶ 21.
The Seventh District held that the defendant’s “‘stipulation to a finding of guilt’
constituted a waiver of the R.C. 2937.07 requirements.” Id. at ¶ 2. In this case, not
only did Arnold, through counsel, “[c]onsent to a finding of guilt,” he also stated,
“And there’s an actual basis.” (Apr. 28, 2016 Tr. at 3). Therefore, we hold that
Arnold waived the R.C. 2937.07 explanation-of-the-circumstances requirement in
this case.
{¶12} Even assuming Arnold did not waive the R.C. 2937.07 requirements,
we would not hold that his conviction should be reversed. See Ritch, 1998 WL
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282970, at *4 (“Even assuming, arguendo, that such explanation was not properly
waived in these circumstances, we would still not be inclined to reverse the
judgment on this point.”). “The ‘invited error doctrine’ holds that a party will not
be permitted to take advantage of an error which he himself invited or induced the
court to make.” Id., citing State ex rel. O’Beirne v. Geauga Cty. Bd. of Elections,
80 Ohio St. 3d 176, 181 (1997) and State ex rel. Bitter v. Missig, 72 Ohio St. 3d 249,
254 (1995). As in Ritch, based on the discussion at the change-of-plea and
sentencing hearing, “[t]here is no doubt here that the trial court dispensed with
having the prosecution give an explanation of circumstances on the invitation of
appellant himself.” Id. at *4. That is, Arnold consented to a finding of guilt and
that there is “an actual basis.” (Apr. 28, 2016 Tr. at 3). “He cannot now take
advantage of the fact that his invitation was accepted and demand a reversal of the
judgment.” Ritch at *4. Accordingly, we uphold Arnold’s conviction for violating
955.22(D)(1).
{¶13} We next address Arnold’s argument that the trial court abused its
discretion when it ordered, as part of Arnold’s sentence, that the dog be destroyed.
“We review a trial court’s sentence on a misdemeanor violation under an abuse of
discretion standard.” State v. Nolan, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-15-48, 2016-Ohio-2985,
¶ 12, citing R.C. 2929.22 and State v. Frazier, 158 Ohio App. 3d 407, 2004-Ohio-
4506, ¶ 15 (1st Dist.). An abuse of discretion implies that the trial court’s decision
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was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St. 2d 151,
157 (1980).
{¶14} Arnold does not argue that the trial court’s order that the dog be
destroyed is contrary to law. Indeed, R.C. 955.99 provides, in relevant part:
Whoever commits a violation of * * * [R.C. 955.22(D)] is guilty of a
misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense and of a
misdemeanor of the third degree on each subsequent offense.
Additionally, the court may order the offender to personally supervise
the dangerous dog that the offender owns, keeps, or harbors, to cause
that dog to complete dog obedience training, or to do both, and the
court may order the offender to obtain liability insurance pursuant to
division (E) of section 955.22 of the Revised Code. The court, in the
alternative, may order the dangerous dog to be humanely destroyed
by a licensed veterinarian, the county dog warden, or the county
humane society at the owner’s expense.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 955.99(G). Rather, Arnold argues that the trial court failed
to properly consider that the current keeper of the dog “has indicated that while in
his physical custody, the dog Caeto has not bitten anyone, nor attempted to bite
anyone, and that [the current keeper of the dog] has an available donee for the dog
Caeto for training and service to law enforcement.” (Appellant’s Brief at 10).
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{¶15} “A trial court must consider the criteria of R.C. 2929.22 and the
principles of R.C. 2929.21 before imposing a misdemeanor sentence.” Nolan at ¶
12, citing State v. Crable, 7th Dist. Belmont No. 04 BE 17, 2004-Ohio-6812, ¶ 24.
R.C. 2929.21 provides, in relevant part:
(A) A court that sentences an offender for a misdemeanor or minor
misdemeanor violation of any provision of the Revised Code * * *
shall be guided by the overriding purposes of misdemeanor
sentencing. The overriding purposes of misdemeanor sentencing are
to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others and
to punish the offender. To achieve those purposes, the sentencing
court shall consider the impact of the offense upon the victim and the
need for changing the offender’s behavior, rehabilitating the offender,
and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or the
victim and the public.
(B) A sentence imposed for a misdemeanor or minor misdemeanor
violation of a Revised Code provision * * * shall be reasonably
calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of misdemeanor
sentencing set forth in division (A) of this section, commensurate with
and not demeaning to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and
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its impact upon the victim, and consistent with sentences imposed for
similar offenses committed by similar offenders.
R.C. 2929.21.
{¶16} Generally, “a court that imposes a sentence under [R.C. Chapter 2929]
upon an offender for a misdemeanor or minor misdemeanor has discretion to
determine the most effective way to achieve the purposes and principles of
sentencing set forth in section 2929.21 of the Revised Code.” R.C. 2929.22(A).
R.C. 2929.22(B) “sets forth specific factors for the trial court to consider before
imposing a sentence, including the nature and circumstances of the offense, the
offender’s history of criminal conduct, the victim’s circumstances, and the
likelihood that the offender will commit future crimes.” Nolan, 2016-Ohio-2985,
at ¶ 12.
{¶17} At the change-of-plea and sentencing hearing, counsel for the State
indicated that, as part of the sentence, the State was “asking the dog be ordered
either surrendered to law enforcement or destroyed.” (Apr. 28, 2016 Tr. at 3).
Arnold’s counsel later stated, “We just ask the Court to adopt the prosecutor’s
recommendation.” (Id. at 9). When the trial court asked about the dog’s
whereabouts, counsel for the State responded, “It’s at a kennel in Cleveland
awaiting transport to a law enforcement officer, but we wouldn’t do that until the
case was over.” (Id. at 5). Arnold’s counsel indicated, “Mr. Arnold doesn’t want
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the dog back or any other dog in his home, Your Honor.” (Id. at 6). Arnold added,
“I checked to see about killing the dog. They want from 20 to $50 a day to keep a
dog.” (Id. at 7).
{¶18} Arnold’s counsel indicated at the hearing, “There were some serious
injuries.” (Id. at 4). The trial court apparently agreed, saying, “I’ve never seen
anything like this,” to which Arnold responded, “He’s a pretty athletic dog, Your
Honor.” (Id. at 5). Arnold’s counsel later added, “It’s terrible.” (Id. at 8). When
the trial court stated that it was “not sure that a dog that does this is going to be able
to be rehabilitated,” Arnold’s counsel responded, “I agree, Your Honor.” (Id. at 7).
Counsel for the State added, “Two months ago, the trainer at [the kennel] said he
thought it could be, but now it’s been two more months of being in a cage. I’m just
not sure.” (Id.).
{¶19} We reject for no fewer than three reasons Arnold’s argument that the
trial court abused its discretion in ordering that the dog be destroyed. First, Arnold
fails to suggest exactly why or how—in relation R.C. 2929.21 and 2929.22—the
trial court abused its discretion in supposedly not considering the circumstances
mentioned by Arnold. It is not this court’s duty to create an argument for an
appellant, and we will not do so in this case. See State v. Wendel, 3d Dist. Union
No. 14-13-23, 2016-Ohio-7915, ¶ 39. Second, Arnold asked the trial court to adopt
the State’s sentencing recommendation, which included, as a potential alternative,
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the dog being destroyed. By doing so, he waived any argument that the trial court
should not have included as part of the sentence that the dog be destroyed. See State
v. Parsons, 4th Dist. Athens No. 09CA4, 2009-Ohio-7068, ¶ 9-10. Finally, even
were we to address the merits of Arnold’s argument, the transcript of the hearing
indicates that Arnold and his counsel acknowledged the serious injuries sustained
by the victim and the need for Arnold to avoid any future dog ownership or handling.
The transcript also reveals that Arnold’s counsel concurred when the trial court
expressed doubt about whether the dog could be rehabilitated. For these reasons,
the trial court did not abuse its discretion by ordering that the dog be destroyed.
{¶20} Arnold’s assignment of error is overruled.
{¶21} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment Affirmed
WILLAMOWSKI, J., concurs in Judgment Only.
/jlr
ROGERS, J., dissenting.
{¶22} I must respectfully dissent from the opinion of the majority.
{¶23} I start with a consideration of the plea proceedings.
{¶24} R.C. 2937.07 provides, in relevant part:
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A plea to a misdemeanor offense of “no contest” or words of similar
import shall constitute an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in
the complaint and that the judge or magistrate may make a finding of
guilty or not guilty from the explanation of the circumstances of the
offense.
{¶25} In Bowers, the Ohio Supreme Court addressed the juxtaposition
between this portion of R.C. 2937.07 and Crim.R. 11(B)(2), which provides that a
“plea of no contest is * * * an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the * * *
complaint * * * .” Ultimately, the Court found that R.C. 2937.07 provided a
criminal defendant with the substantive right to require of the trial court an
explanation of circumstances following a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor.
Bowers, 9 Ohio St. 3d at 150-151.
{¶26} The majority chooses to adopt the view of the Seventh District Court
of Appeals that a stipulation to a finding of guilt is—by itself—sufficient to waive
the explanation of circumstances requirement. I do not believe this view is
consistent with Ohio law or the Ohio Supreme Court’s holding in Bowers.
{¶27} Other Ohio appellate courts seem to share this concern. For example,
in State v. Roland, the Second District Court of Appeals considered whether the
defendant’s “agreement to be found guilty” waived the explanation-of-
circumstances requirement. 2d Dist. Champaign No. 2005 CA 39, 2006-Ohio-3517,
¶ 18. The court concluded that the defendant’s agreement “was no more than his
agreement to be found guilty in accordance with R.C. 2937.07 * * * .” Id.
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{¶28} Likewise, in City of Berea v. Moorer, the Eighth District Court of
Appeals considered whether defense counsel’s stipulation to the facts and a finding
of guilt waived the explanation-of-circumstances requirement. 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 103293, 2016-Ohio-3452. The court concluded that it did not because “there
was no explicit waiver of the reading of the facts or explanation of circumstances.”
(Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 13.
{¶29} Again, in Roth, the Ninth District Court of Appeals concluded,
“Because [defense counsel] explicitly waived a reading of the facts, Mr. Roth cannot
now raise on appeal the argument that the court did not read the facts at the time
that he made his no contest plea.” (Emphasis added.) 2004-Ohio-4447, ¶ 12.
{¶30} It is my opinion that R.C. 2937.07 requires the trial court to make a
determination of the sufficiency of the evidence from the facts in the record, and
that this requirement is a substantive right which cannot be waived, and if it could,
it certainly was not explicitly waived in this case.
{¶31} Further, there was considerable confusion as to the section of law
under which Arnold was charged as opposed to that with which he was convicted.
{¶32} R.C. 955.22 governs the confinement of dogs. It requires the owner,
keeper, harborer, or handler of a dog to “[k]eep the dog physically confined or
restrained upon the premises of the owner, keeper, or harborer by a leash, tether,
adequate fence, supervision, or secure enclosure to prevent escape” and “[k]eep the
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dog under the reasonable control of some person.” R.C. 955.22(C)(1). The penalty
for violating this statute depends on whether the dog is a “nuisance dog,”
“dangerous dog,” or “vicious dog.” R.C. 955. 22(E)(1)-(H)(2).
{¶33} “Nuisance dog” means “* * * a dog that without provocation and while
off the premises of its owner, keeper, or harborer has chased or approached a person
in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack or has attempted to
bite or otherwise endanger any person.” R.C. 955.11(A)(3)(a).
{¶34} “Dangerous dog” means “a dog that, without provocation, * * * has
[c]aused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person; [k]illed another
dog; [or] [b]een the subject of a third or subsequent violation of [R.C.
955.22(C)(1).]” R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a).
{¶35} “Vicious dog” means “a dog that, without provocation * * *, has killed
or caused serious injury to any person.” R.C. 955.11(A)(6)(a).
{¶36} While R.C. 955.22(C)(1) applies to every owner, keeper, or harborer
of a dog, R.C. 955.22(D)(1) adds additional responsibilities for the owner, keeper,
or harborer of a dangerous dog. It requires the owner, keeper, or harborer to “[w]hile
that dog is on [their] premises * * * , securely confine it at all times in a locked pen
that has a top, locked fenced yard, or other locked enclosure that has a top.”4 R.C.
955.22(D)(1).
4
Under former R.C. 955.22(D)(1), these requirements also applied to vicious dogs.
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{¶37} Under either statute, if the dog involved is vicious or dangerous, then
the court may order the dog to be humanely destroyed by a licensed veterinarian,
the county dog warden, or the county humane society at the owner's expense. R.C.
955.99(G), (H)(1).
{¶38} The complaint alleged that Arnold “did unlawfully and while being
the owner, keeper, or harborer of a vicious dog, did fail to securely confine the
vicious dog on premises, as required by statute.” (Emphasis added.) (Docket No.
2). Although the compliant referred to the dog as vicious, it cited R.C. 955.22(D)(1),
the dangerous dog statute.5 The judgment entry also referred to the offense as
“SECURE VIC DOG” but cited R.C. 955.22(D)(1). (Docket No. 17). Neither
document cited R.C. 955.22(C)(1) or 955.99(H)(1), the statutes pertaining to vicious
dogs.
{¶39} From the record, it is clear that neither defense counsel nor the
prosecutor recognized the difference between the designation as a dangerous dog or
vicious dog. The trial judge also referred to the dog as vicious although Arnold was
charged under the dangerous dog statute. Further, although citing R. C. 955.22
(D)(1) as the offense of which Arnold was being convicted, the trial court’s entry
again referred to a “vic” (vicious) dog. If the parties and the trial court were so
5
It is also worth noting that the complaint alleged that Arnold failed to “securely confine” the vicious dog,
and this phrase is found only in the dangerous dog statute. (Docket No. 2).
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confused as to the offense at issue, there certainly could be no finding as to the
sufficiency of the evidence. If for no other reason, this conviction must be reversed
due to the mutual mistake of the parties and the trial judge, as to the offense at issue.
{¶40} There is the further problem of whether the offense could properly be
brought under either statute. The statutes defining a “dangerous dog” and “vicious
dog” both are drafted in the past tense. I interpret that to mean that there must have
been a prior incident to put the owner, keeper, or harborer on notice or a prior
designation as a “dangerous dog” or a “vicious dog” before anyone could be charged
under the statutes at issue. How can one fail to confine a dangerous or vicious dog
if one is not aware that the dog meets that criteria? There is no evidence in this case
that the dog had been previously designated as a dangerous or vicious dog or that
the dog had previously caused injury to another. The fact that the Dog Warden only
served a notice of designation subsequent to and based on the incident leading to
Arnold’s charge certainly requires the conclusion that there had been no previous
designation.
{¶41} Additionally, the trial court’s sentencing entry included an order that
the court be provided with evidence that the dog had been “put down” by a certain
date. R.C. 955.99(G) and (H)(1) provide that upon conviction of either R.C.
955.22(C)(1) or (D)(1), the court may order the dog to be humanely destroyed by a
licensed veterinarian, the county dog warden, or the county humane society at the
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owner’s expense. Here, the trial court failed to designate the responsibility of
destruction to any person or official, and I would find that order to be inadequate
and unenforceable. Further, the statute provides that the trial court should order the
expense of the destruction be the owner’s responsibility. Here, the trial court failed
to designate that responsibility, and since it was undisputed that Arnold was not the
owner but was only keeping the dog temporarily for his son, the trial court could
not order him to be responsible for the costs of destruction.
{¶42} Finally, the majority fails to note that the trial court committed plain
error in ordering Arnold to pay restitution to the kennel company. There are two
potential statutes governing this issue, neither of which are applicable in this case.
First, R.C. 2929.28 (A)(1) provides that a trial court may order an offender to pay
restitution “to the victim of the offender's crime or any survivor of the victim.” The
kennel company was not a victim of Arnold’s crime and therefore cannot receive
restitution under R.C. 2929.28(A)(1). Second, R.C. 955.99(G) allows for a
dangerous dog to be confined in a county pound, at the dog owner’s expense, until
the court makes a final determination as to the offender’s guilt or innocence.
However, this part of the statute only applies to violations of R.C. 955.22(C), and
Arnold was convicted under R.C. 955.22(D). Furthermore, the kennel where the
dog was being housed was not the county pound.
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{¶43} Also, the trial court failed to determine or specify the amount of
restitution and therefore the order would be unenforceable even if proper. The
majority would probably contend that the order of restitution was included as a term
of probation and is therefore enforceable. However, I maintain that the trial court
can only order that which is authorized by statute.
{¶44} For all of the reasons listed above, I would vacate the orders of the
trial court and order that the charge be dismissed.
/jlr
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