OH HB541

Removes "without provocation" requirement from definitions of dangerous and vicious dogs, replacing it with affirmative defenses that owners can raise if a dog was teased, tormented, abused, or was defending someone not engaged in criminal activity.

Expands the definition of dangerous and vicious dogs to include injuries to companion animals, not just other dogs, and adds new defenses for dogs protecting property from trespassers or criminals.

Requires the Attorney General to establish and maintain a registry of dog law violations and complaints accessible to law enforcement, humane society agents, and dog wardens.

Establishes a notification process where enforcement officers must post notices on owners' doors within 24 hours of investigating complaints and owners must respond within 48 hours; failure to respond triggers $25-$40 fines and possible arrest warrants.

Mandates that dogs finally determined to be vicious must be humanely destroyed by court order, eliminates dangerous dog liability insurance requirements, and increases criminal penalties for violations involving vicious dogs to felonies.