Avery’s Law (House Bill 247)  

House Bill 247 is named after Avery Russell, a young girl who suffered serious injuries after an unprovoked dog attack. In March of 2026 Avery’s Law went into effect for the state of Ohio. If you own or plan to keep, own or harbor a dog this matters to you. House Bill 247 reformed section 955 of the Ohio Revised Code. This means stronger protections for victim’s and greater accountability for dog owners.   

Key Changes 

1. Avery’s Law has expanded the definition of a nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dog.  
2. If you own a dog that has been designated dangerous, you must now have $100,000 in liability insurance and pay a registration fee of $100. It also heightens confinement requirements. 
3. A dog owner, keeper, or harborer can now be charged without having to prove negligence when their dog commits a nuisance, dangerous, or vicious dog act.  
4. It allows Dog Warden’s to remove dogs that have committed a nuisance, dangerous, or vicious dog act from the home throughout the pendency of the court hearing. If the dog commits a vicious act Dog Warden’s MUST remove the dog from the home.  
5. Increased criminal penalties and some violations now include strict liability.   
6. A set of detailed questions will now be asked upon intake of a dog to the Williams County Humane Society and Williams County Dog Warden’s office.   
    

Governor DeWine Signs Avery's Law | Republican News | Ohio House of Representatives