Avery's Law in Ohio: What the New Dog Bite Law Means for Victims in 2026

On March 20, 2026, Ohio's landscape for dog bite victims and dangerous dog owners will fundamentally change. Avery's Law (House Bill 247), signed by Governor Mike DeWine on December 19, 2025, represents the most significant overhaul of Ohio's dangerous dog regulations in recent history. For victims of dog attacks across Cuyahoga County and throughout Ohio, understanding this new legislation is critical to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

The law was named in honor of Avery Russell, an 11-year-old girl who survived a catastrophic attack by two dogs in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, in June 2024. The minimal jail time faced by the dogs' owner sparked widespread outrage and a bipartisan legislative push to close dangerous loopholes in Ohio law. The result is a comprehensive statute that imposes stricter penalties, mandates liability insurance, and grants immediate authority to local dog wardens.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Ohio, you need to know how Avery's Law interacts with existing strict liability statutes. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what the new law changes, what remains the same, and how victims can navigate the legal system to achieve justice.

The Tragic Story Behind Avery's Law

Legislation is rarely born in a vacuum; it is often forged in the aftermath of tragedy. Avery's Law is no exception. In June 2024, 11-year-old Avery Russell was brutally attacked by two dogs in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The injuries she sustained were catastrophic, requiring extensive medical intervention and leaving lasting physical and emotional scars.

Despite the severity of the attack, the legal consequences for the dogs' owner were shockingly light under the existing laws at the time. Reports indicated the owner faced minimal jail time—just four days—highlighting a glaring inadequacy in how Ohio penalized negligent owners of dangerous animals. This perceived injustice mobilized Avery's family, community leaders, and state legislators to demand reform.

Sponsored by Representatives Kevin D. Miller (R-Newark) and Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg), House Bill 247 garnered overwhelming bipartisan support. It passed the Ohio House unanimously (97-0) and the Senate unanimously (33-0) before being signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on December 19, 2025. The law officially takes effect on March 20, 2026, marking a new era of accountability for dog owners in Ohio.

Key Provisions of House Bill 247

Avery's Law comprehensively updates Ohio's regulations regarding nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dogs. The legislation shifts the focus from reactive measures to proactive prevention and severe consequences for negligence. For victims seeking dog bite compensation, these regulatory changes provide clearer avenues for establishing owner negligence and securing financial recovery.

The law introduces several critical updates to the Ohio Revised Code, specifically targeting the owners of dogs that have already demonstrated aggressive tendencies. By tightening the leash on these owners, the state aims to prevent the kind of unprovoked attacks that devastated the Russell family.

New Criminal Penalties for Negligent Owners

One of the most significant changes under Avery's Law is the escalation of criminal penalties for dog owners who fail to control their animals. Previously, owners often faced mere misdemeanors even when their dogs caused severe harm. The new law establishes a tiered penalty structure based on the dog's designation and the severity of the attack.

Under the new provisions, if a dog owner negligently fails to prevent a "vicious dog act" by a dog previously designated as dangerous or vicious, and that act seriously injures or kills a person, the owner can be charged with a third-degree felony (F3). In Ohio, a third-degree felony carries a potential prison sentence of 9 to 36 months.

Other penalty escalations include:

• Vicious dog act: Third-degree misdemeanor on a first offense, escalating to a second-degree misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.
• Dangerous dog act: Fourth-degree misdemeanor on a first offense, escalating to a third-degree misdemeanor.
• Nuisance dog act: Minor misdemeanor on a first offense, escalating to a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

These enhanced criminal penalties serve as a powerful deterrent and provide prosecutors with the tools necessary to hold negligent owners fully accountable.

Mandatory $100,000 Liability Insurance

For victims of dog attacks, securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering is paramount. However, victims often discover that the negligent dog owner lacks the financial resources to pay a judgment. Avery's Law addresses this critical issue head-on.

The new law mandates that any owner of a dangerous or vicious dog must obtain and maintain at least $100,000 in liability insurance, regardless of whether a court has specifically ordered it. Failure to obtain this insurance is a minor misdemeanor on the first offense and a fourth-degree misdemeanor on subsequent offenses.

This provision is a game-changer for victims. It ensures that there is a dedicated source of funds available to compensate those injured by known dangerous dogs. If you are attacked by a dog with a prior dangerous designation, this mandatory insurance policy provides a clear path to financial recovery. Our attorneys can help you identify these policies and pursue the maximum compensation available.

Immediate Seizure and Mandatory Euthanasia

Prior to Avery's Law, local authorities often faced procedural hurdles that delayed the removal of a dangerous dog from a community, leaving residents at risk of repeat attacks. House Bill 247 grants dog wardens immediate seizure authority following a serious incident.

Furthermore, the law removes judicial discretion in the most severe cases. If a court finds, after a designation hearing, that a dog—without provocation—killed a person or seriously injured a person resulting in a substantial risk of death, permanent incapacity, serious permanent disfigurement, or acute pain resulting in substantial suffering, the court must order the dog to be humanely destroyed.

This mandatory euthanasia provision ensures that dogs capable of inflicting catastrophic or fatal injuries are permanently removed from society, preventing future tragedies.

What to Do After a Dog Attack in Ohio

If you are attacked by a dog in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, or anywhere in Ohio, taking immediate action is crucial to protecting both your health and your legal rights under Ohio law.

First, seek emergency medical attention. Dog bites carry a high risk of severe infection, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. Ensure all injuries are thoroughly documented by medical professionals.

Second, report the attack to your local animal control agency or police department immediately. This creates an official record of the incident, which is vital for both criminal enforcement under Avery's Law and your civil claim for damages. It also triggers an investigation that could lead to the dog being designated as dangerous or vicious.

Finally, before speaking with the dog owner's insurance company, review our guide on what to do after a dog bite and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters often attempt to minimize your injuries or shift blame to avoid paying a fair settlement.

How This Affects Dog Bite Victims in Your City

This new statewide legislation applies to dog bite victims across all of Cuyahoga County. Select your city below to learn more about your local rights and resources:

Don't see your city? We serve all of Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. Contact us for a free case review.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avery's Law

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. Contact a licensed Ohio attorney for advice about your specific situation.