What Is Avery’s Law? How Ohio Dog Bite Laws Are Changing
An 11-year-old girl goes to a friend’s house for a playdate. She enters the home and two dogs attack her, chewing off most of her ears and leaving permanent scars. The previous penalty for the owners of the dogs that attacked her? Four days in jail and a $450 fine.
That injustice has a name: Avery Russell. And her story changed Ohio law forever.
What Is Avery’s Law?
House Bill 247—known as Avery’s Law—was signed by Governor Mike DeWine and establishes new requirements on vicious dog owners to prevent attacks across Ohio. The law became effective in March 2026.
The bill passed unanimously in both the Ohio House and Senate—a rare show of bipartisan agreement that reflects just how badly Ohio’s dog laws needed updating. For years, loopholes in the system allowed dangerous dog owners to face minimal consequences, even after their animals caused life-altering injuries.
The legislation closes the gaps in Ohio’s long-criticized “one free bite” approach, where first-time dog bite penalties were often little more than a slap on the wrist. Victims deserved better—and now the law reflects that.
What Does Avery’s Law Actually Change?
The law creates new definitions and classifications for dog behavior. It distinguishes between “nuisance,” “dangerous,” and “vicious” dogs based on the severity of their actions. Key provisions include:
- Courts must now order the euthanasia of dogs that seriously injure or kill someone
- Owners of dogs designated as dangerous must maintain $100,000 in liability insurance
- Dog wardens now have the authority to seize a dog immediately following an attack
- Healthcare providers and vets must report dog bites to health authorities within 24 hours
Avery’s Law makes it harder for negligent owners to escape accountability. Stiffer criminal penalties, mandatory insurance, and stronger enforcement tools all work in your favor.
Your Rights as a Dog Bite Victim
Even before Avery’s Law, Ohio held dog owners strictly liable for attacks under Ohio Revised Code § 955.28. That means you don’t need to prove the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner knew it was dangerous. If you weren’t trespassing, provoking the animal, or committing a crime, the owner can be held responsible—period.
If you’ve been attacked by a vicious dog, the Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your accident claim. When a negligent dog owner’s failure to act leaves you or a loved one permanently scarred, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so I can evaluate your case right away.
