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ANIMAL WATCH - Kevin Miller, Ohio State Representative (R), introduced a statewide dog-bite law in the Senate on April 29, 2025, called the “Dangerous Dog Bill,” which would require the same consequences for “vicious” dogs regardless of breed, including all Pit Bull-types. It appears to be on its way to approval, according to Dispatch.com.
(This bill is HR64 and the text and updates can be tracked here.)
The author states that the, “Dangerous Dog Bill was introduced in the Legislature with one simple purpose -- addressing and reducing dog attacks.”
Key provisions of the Bill:
l. Clarifies current language of the Ohio Revised Code designating vicious, dangerous/nuisance dog behavior.
2. It includes protections for dogs that are defending themselves and are on their own property; AND
3. It mandates the euthanasia of a dog—after due process-- if it has killed or seriously injured a person; and it gives the local dog warden authority to seize the dog immediately after such an attack.
“This corrected legislation will increase public safety throughout Ohio communities,” Miller said, “We must hold owners of dangerous and vicious dogs responsible—while also protecting dogs who are defending themselves or and are on their own property.
READ MORE DETAILS HERE and BELOW.
PIT BULL ATTACK ON 8-YEAR-OLD IN OHIO EMPHASIZES NEED FOR LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT
(Pictured above: Oscar Koon and his family before the Pit Bull attack.)
On March 2, 2025, the aunt of an 8-year-old boy critically injured in a dog attack in Columbus' North Linden neighborhood told reporters that the boy remained unconscious after six days, but is "doing as well as can be expected."
Rebecca Hook told The Dispatch, Oscar Koon suffered severe damage to his face and arms in the attack in the 3000 block of Hiawatha Street. Neighbors who called 911, said “two pit bulls attacked the boy before attacking another dog and lunging at a neighbor, who fought them off with a shovel.”
In a written statement, his family said they support criminal charges against the dog owner and said they are “heartbroken” by the attack.”
(An entire page of TV-news reports of Pit Bull attacks in Ohio, including Oscar Koon, and across the U.S. can be seen here.)
Pit Bulls lead the list in worldwide and often-fatal attacks on children and owners without warning or provocation, and Ohio has historically suffered from ineffective laws. We are now increasingly in an era where dogs—Pit Bulls, in particular—are used as weapons for vengeance or sadistic punishment, and these must be included as serious crimes as well.
A 6-year-old boy in Cleveland, Ohio, was viciously attacked by a Pit Bull while his hands and ankles were handcuffed as a form of punishment. The attack occurred while three adults, including the boy’s mother, watched. The incident took place at a home in the village of Savannah, on August 20. 2024, according to a media release by the Sheriff’s office.
GOALS OF THE CHANGES:
After publication of a nine-month investigation into dog attacks and how state laws fail the victims, “multiple Ohio lawmakers are pushing for changes, including making sure a dog that seriously injures or kills a person is euthanized.”
The 97-page report seeks to clarify the definitions, rules and penalties for dogs that growl, bite or kill. Current Ohio law gives judges the discretion to put a dog down after the first kill but only requires euthanasia after the second person is killed − a provision that Miller called "garbage," according to the report.
State Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Twp., will sponsor a companion bill in the Ohio Senate that mirrors Miller's bill., according to the report.
1. These bills would eliminate the "two free kills" provision currently in state law.
2. Stiffer penalties would be put in place for negligent owners of dangerous dogs, including felony charges for failing to prevent attacks.
Other anticipated changes include banning dangerous dogs from hunting, requiring escape-proof fencing, and increased penalties for owners of loose dogs.
NEWS INVESTIGATION CREDITED FOR NEW BILL
An investigation published in March by The Columbus Dispatch and three other news outlets found victims of dog attacks suffer from debilitating and demoralizing injuries, severe psychological trauma and the overwhelming mountain of medical bills.
However, Ohio state law fails to impose serious penalties for dog owners, even when their pet maims or disfigures someone.
DEFINITIONS REQUIRED FOR DEGREES OF AGGRESSION
Aggressive dogs can be designated under the revised law in three ways:
(1)“nuisance” for those that chase, growl or snarl at someone;
(2) “dangerous” for those that bite a human or kill another dog; and
(3) “vicious” for those that cause serious injuries or kill a human.
Stiffer penalties will be imposed on dog owners who negligently fail to prevent unprovoked attacks.
Owners of dogs previously designated “dangerous “ or “vicious” could face a third-degree felony charge if they later fail to prevent their dog from seriously injuring or killing someone.
“These are people who have these dangerous or vicious dogs, know they're a liability and yet shirk their responsibility and fail to keep them penned up,” he said.
DEGREES OF BITE INJURY
Rep. Miller explained, “A first-time bite could mean a fourth-degree misdemeanor the first time their dog bites someone and a third-degree misdemeanor for subsequent bites.“
Owners whose dogs commit a nuisance offense could receive a ticket on the first offense and face a fourth-degree misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATOR
Miller was a former patrol trooper who worked with the Ohio County Dog Wardens Association on his bill. It’s goal is to clarify that dog wardens have the authority to make arrests and enforce all of Ohio's dog laws. This gives wardens the discretion to impound a dog after an attack rather than returning it to the owner, and requiring owners of dangerous or vicious dogs register them with the warden--not the County Auditor.
The bill makes other changes, including:
- Dangerous or vicious dogs would be banned from hunting activities.
- Any fencing used by owners to confine their dangerous or vicious dogs must be escape proof.
- Owners who let their dogs run loose would also face higher penalties, even if the dogs don't cause injury or death.
- Requires a dog warden who suspects animal cruelty report that to the humane society or law enforcement, rather than applying to the court for an order to seize the dog.
More Changes Anticipated from Two More Bills
Two other Democrats, are also sponsoring dog bills.
“House Bill 241 would give dog wardens 10 days to investigate an attack and recommend one of three courses: (1) release to the dog to the owner, (2) require retraining at the owner's expense or (3) euthanize the dog, with the final decision being made by a judge.
House Bill 240 would make several other changes and be called “Avery's Law.” Avery Russell was attacked by two pit bulls in June 2024. The dogs chewed off most of her ears and gouged her forehead above her left eye. This bill would require health-care providers and dog owners to report bites, and would require dangerous dog owners to purchase liability insurance after a third violation; and register the dog as dangerous.
More provisions are expected to follow and will undoubtedly receive the same cautious and thorough scrutiny of Ohio news outlets to assure responsibility is placed on owners of dogs—not on victims.
Read more here.
See: VICIOUS: An investigation into how Ohio laws fail thousands of dog attack victims
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee, an animal activist and a contributor to CityWatch.)
