COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — Ohio has toughened penalties for owners of vicious dogs.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed Avery’s Law on Friday, increasing penalties for owners of dangerous dogs and granting Ohio’s dog wardens more authority to seize vicious animals.
The law is named after Avery Russell, who was nearly killed in 2024 when she was attacked by two dogs at age 11. Avery’s Law is set to take effect in March.
Under the new law, courts would be required to order the death of a dog involved in killing or seriously injuring a human being. Dog owners would also face stiffer penalties if they fail to prevent their dog from biting or attacking a person.
The previous penalty for the owners of the dogs that attacked Russell was four days in jail and a $450 fine.
House Bill 247 includes several provisions aimed at strengthening Ohio’s dog laws. The bill would impose criminal penalties on a dog owner who negligently fails to keep their dog from committing, without provocation, an attack. It also gives local dog wardens the authority to seize a dog immediately following such an attack.
In addition, the legislation revises investigation and enforcement requirements when authorities receive complaints indicating possible violations of Ohio’s Dog Law. The bill includes protections for dogs defending themselves, their owners or their property, and mandates the termination of a dog, after due process, if it kills or seriously injures a person.
