The Ohio House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments to House Bill 503, legislation to address harm caused by feral swine in Ohio, announced bill sponsors, State Reps. Don Jones (R-Freeport) and Bob Peterson (R-Sabina).
The bill will allow landowners to kill a feral hog without a license, as long as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is notified within 24 hours. It also eliminates an existing license to feed swine garbage or treated garbage and prohibits bringing swine into the state who have been garbage fed.
Penalties for importing, transporting, or possessing feral swine would be increased and the bill would update the definitions under the Agricultural Commodity Handlers Law.
“This legislation addresses Ohio’s growing feral swine infestation by empowering our landowners,” said Jones.
“Feral swine are a nuisance to landowners around the nation and are a threat to Ohio’s livestock industry,” said Peterson.
House Bill 503 now awaits a signature from the Governor.