OH HB247

Ohio Substitute House Bill 247 - Avery's Law

• Restructures Ohio's dog laws by renumbering sections and establishing clearer definitions for "vicious dog" (kills or causes serious injury to a person), "dangerous dog" (causes non-fatal injury to a person or kills another dog), and "nuisance dog" (chases or menaces persons while off owner's property)

• Creates a $100 annual dangerous dog registration requirement for owners of dangerous or vicious dogs, including proof of rabies vaccination, spay/neuter status, microchip identification, and posted warning signs at the residence

• Establishes graduated penalties for dog-related offenses: nuisance dog violations range from minor misdemeanor to 4th degree misdemeanor; dangerous dog violations are 3rd-4th degree misdemeanors; vicious dog violations resulting in death or serious injury to a person constitute a 3rd degree felony

• Requires mandatory destruction of dogs that kill a person or cause serious injury resulting in substantial risk of death, permanent incapacity, serious permanent disfigurement, or substantial suffering

• Mandates health care providers and licensed veterinarians report dog and mammal bites to local health commissioners within 24 hours, and requires health districts to submit annual bite reports to the state health department