SB 151 Summary

• Revises definitions of vicious, dangerous, and nuisance dogs under Ohio's Dogs Law, including clarifications regarding police dogs and dogs protecting property owners from criminal activity

• Establishes a new dangerous dog registration system requiring owners to obtain certificates with $50 annual fees, provide proof of rabies vaccination, neutering/spaying, microchipping, and liability insurance of $100,000

• Creates a notification process requiring authorized enforcement persons to post notices on doors of residences where dogs are involved in alleged violations and assess fines ($25-$40) if owners fail to respond within 48-96 hours

• Modifies penalties for dog law violations, including increasing restrictions on felons owning dangerous dogs from 3 to 5 years and making vicious dog violations felonies with mandatory destruction of the dog

• Reorganizes dangerous dog requirements into separate sections and requires existing dangerous dog certificate holders to renew starting December 1, 2015