If you own or handle someone else’s dog in Ohio, you need to know about a new law that took effect on March 18, 2026. House Bill 247, known as Avery’s Law, significantly updates Ohio’s dog laws to increase owner accountability and public safety. Here’s what you need to know:
New Dog Classifications: Animal Control Officers now classify dogs as:
Nuisance Dog
Chases or acts aggressively toward people, other dogs, or livestock
Causes injury without physical contact
Repeatedly runs at large
Dangerous Dog
Causes injury by physical or non-physical contact
Kills or injures a dog resulting in euthanasia
Vicious Dog
Kills or seriously injures a person by physical contact
Commits a dangerous dog act after being designated dangerous
Increased Owner Responsibilities: Owners of dangerous or vicious dogs must:
Kills or injures a dog, resulting in euthanasia
Carry $100,000 liability insurance
Properly confine and control the dog
Follow additional safety measures such as tags and warnings
Expanded Authority for Dog Wardens: Dog wardens can now:
Immediately seize dogs after serious attacks
Investigate complaints more effectively
Act when a dog poses a public safety risk
Stronger Criminal Penalties: Owners, keepers, or harborers who fail to control their dogs face:
Misdemeanor charges for dangerous dog attacks
Felony charges and possible jail time for vicious dog attacks
This law affects not only individual owners and dog wardens but also anyone caring for dogs, including boarding and training facilities, groomers, veterinarians, and animal rescue groups like Laber of Love and our fosters.
What This Means for Laber of Love: We have temporarily paused intakes while consulting with legal and insurance experts to ensure compliance and protection. We hope to resume soon. Additionally, we will no longer accept pets with a history of biting or aggression toward people or other animals. We will continue to monitor the behavior of our current pets to keep everyone safe.
What Should You Do? Stay tuned next month for our advice on how individual dog owners can comply with Avery’s Law.
Nicole Laber, Cofounder and Fospice Mom