Avery’s Law strengthened Ohio’s dangerous dog laws by increasing penalties for owners when serious attacks occur, refining the definitions of nuisance, dangerous and vicious dog designations, tightening requirements to own dangerous/vicious dogs and clarifying and in some instances expanding the authority of dog wardens.
No. Avery’s Law does not apply to specific breeds. The law focuses on a dog’s behavior and an owner’s responsibility to safely manage their dog.
Generally, provocation means a dog was reacting to something done to it, such as being attacked, abused or threatened. Each situation is evaluated based on the circumstances of the incident.
No. Euthanasia is not automatic for every bite or incident. In the most serious cases — when a dog kills or seriously injures a person and the court determines the attack was unprovoked — the law requires euthanasia.
Dangerous or vicious designations are determined through an official process involving an investigation by the dog warden or appropriate law enforcement and a court determination.
Owners must follow additional requirements such as:
In certain situations, yes. Dog wardens may seize and impound a dog involved in a serious attack while the incident is scheduled for a court hearing. This allows authorities to ensure public safety while the situation is reviewed.
Yes. The law includes protections for dogs that act in legitimate defense of themselves, their owner or their property.
Responsible ownership is the best prevention. This includes:
Yes. In certain cases where an owner negligently fails to control their dog and the dog seriously injures or kills someone, the law allows for criminal charges.
Under Ohio Revised Code 955.12, county dog wardens no longer have legal authority to seize or impound dogs on the basis of abandonment, cruelty or neglect concerns. Investigations and enforcement actions for these situations are the responsibility of local law enforcement agencies and local humane societies per Ohio law.
Any concerns related to these situations that are reported to the Animal Resource Center will be referred to the appropriate agencies.
If someone witnesses or suspects abandonment, cruelty or neglect of a dog, they should report it to local law enforcement and/or the humane society.
As the dog warden, the ARC continues to:
In addition to the fact that dog licenses are the law in Ohio, identification increases the likelihood of safely reuniting pets with their families and helps ensure accountability when concerns arise.
Dog licenses, ID tags and microchips are critical tools that help connect dogs to their owners quickly.
Yes. The ARC will continue to assist with helping to locate the owner of a dog through license and microchip information whenever possible.
Dog licenses and microchips are available for purchase through the Animal Resource Center. Owners can also visit www.mcohio.org/dogs and purchase a license online.
Responsible pet ownership is key. Important steps include: