Governor DeWine Signs Avery's Law

State Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) today is pleased to share that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has officially signed House Bill 247 – also known as “Avery’s Law” – legislation that would establish new requirements on vicious dog owners to prevent dog attacks in Ohio.

“The legislation updates Ohio’s outdated and inadequate dangerous/viscous dog laws. It gives our dog warden’s the tools needed to keep our communities safe and holds irresponsible dog owned accountable when they fail to contain these dangerous animals,” said Rep. Miller, who sponsored the bill. 

House Bill 247 will do the following: 

• Impose criminal penalties on a dog owner if he or she negligently fails to keep their dog from committing, without provocation, an attack;
• Give the local dog warden the authority to seize a dog immediately following such an attack;
• Revise the investigation and enforcement requirements for when an authority receives any complaint that indicates a possible violation of any provision of the Dog Law;
• Include protections for dogs that are defending themselves, their owners, or their property;
• After receiving due process, mandate termination of the dog if it kills or seriously injures a person.

House Bill 247 is named ‘Avery’s Law’ in in honor of Avery Russell, who was severely injured in a dog attack in Reynoldsburg, Ohio in June 2024, when she was 11 years old.

House Bill 247 will go into effect on March 18, 2026.