Ohio Dog Bite Laws

According to the Ohio Department of Health, around 20,000 dog bites and exposure are recorded in the state every year. Dog bites may cause serious injuries, such as facial lacerations, fractures, internal damage, scarring, and disfigurement. They can also cause death due to rabies or tetanus.

As such, it is important to always be cautious around these animals despite them being deemed as man’s best friend. With their natural instincts, they sometimes exhibit unusual behavior and display a bad temper, regardless of whether they are trained or not.

The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases has implemented the Zoonotic Disease Program, which aims to protect Ohio residents from the spread of animal rabies. It assists local health departments with rabies prevention programs, develops rabies control strategies, collects and maintains data on dog bites and rabies, and works with veterinarians, the medical community, and health workers in dealing with rabies exposures and dog bites.

If you have suffered from a dog bite or animal attack, you may find the information laid out in this article useful. It discusses relevant legislation and regulations, dog owner responsibilities, and how to report and handle dog bite incidents. Additionally, it has a list of legal resources for injured dog bite victims.

Dog Owner Responsibilities in Ohio

Ohio state law requires dogs that are three months old or older to be registered in the county where they reside. Dog owners, keepers, or harborers are responsible for properly registering their animals, with the option to do one-year, three-year, or permanent registration. The fee is $2 per year, or $20 for permanent registration.

Failure to register a dog is considered a first degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $25 to $75 for the first offense. Meanwhile, the second and subsequent offenses can lead to a fine of $75 to $250 with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.

Dog tags, which are associated with the registration details, must be attached to the dog at all times, unless it is constantly confined to a kennel. Violation of this law is considered a minor misdemeanor and will be considered prima facie evidence for lack of registration. The dog may be subjected to impounding, sale, or destruction.

Dogs must be confined within the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer. They must be contained by an adequate fence or secure enclosure, or restrained by a leash or tether to prevent them from escaping. Penalties for violation are $25 to $75 in fines for the first offense, as well as $75 to $250 in fines and 30 days of jail time for the second and subsequent offenses. A third violation will lead to the dog being deemed dangerous. The owner should then obtain a dangerous dog certificate from the local dog warden and adhere to the restrictions of owning a dangerous dog.

Another responsibility of dog owners is to notify the local dog warden when their pet becomes unconfined or loose, attacks another animal, or bites a person, unless the victim is harmed after unlawfully trespassing or committing a criminal act in the property where the incident took place.

Breed-Specific Legislation in Ohio

Many cities across the country have adopted breed-specific legislation. In Ohio, almost 20 cities have banned the ownership of pit bulls. Additionally, over 60 cities have breed-specific legislation regarding pit bulls, declaring them as vicious or dangerous. According to a study by the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, injuries from pit bulls are more severe and frequent, followed by incidents from mixed-breed dogs and German shepherds. However, the dog breed is unknown in 60% of dog bite cases.

Oftentimes, breed-specific ordinances are met with constitutional challenges. Animal advocates claim legislation stigmatizes a particular breed of dog, regardless of its general behavior. Moreover, they say that it fails to address the root cause of dog bites. The occurrence of dog bites also depends on how responsible the owners are.

Dangerous Dog Restrictions

Ohio can designate a dog as dangerous if it injures a person or kills another dog without provocation. A dog can also be classified as dangerous if it fails to be sufficiently restrained or controlled by its owner on three or more occasions.

Dangerous or vicious dogs are subject to serious restrictions:

• They should be kept on a leash shorter than six feet.

• They must be maintained in a locked yard or cage.

• They must be registered with the county auditor.

• They must always wear a tag that identifies them as a dangerous dog.

• If they are to be sold, the buyer must be informed regarding their dangerous classification. Moreover, the owner has to notify the county auditor within 10 days of the sale.

A person who fails to control their dangerous dog three times or more should obtain liability insurance in case the pet harms another person or dog. They must present proof of insurance upon the request of a dog warden, law enforcement officer, or designated public health official. In addition, the owner should get a dangerous dog registration certificate from the county auditor and follow the restrictions listed above.

Liability Standards in Ohio Dog Bite Cases

In Ohio, dogs are considered an inherent public safety threat, and any damage or injury they cause translates to a strict liability offense. This means that as long as the dog was not provoked or attacked, its owner is responsible for any damages or injuries incurred by the victim. 

It also means that the court may impose liability even without determining fault. In other words, a victim does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent to pursue compensation. An owner, keeper, or harborer may be held responsible if:

• The behavior of their dog caused the injury.

• The victim was not attempting to commit or was not committing a criminal offense.

• The victim was not tormenting, teasing, or abusing the dog.

Does Ohio Follow the One-Bite Rule?

No, Ohio does not follow the one-bite rule. But it adheres to the strict liability doctrine, making owners liable for every bite of their dog, including the initial one. Under this rule, a dog owner is automatically held accountable for any bite-related injury, regardless of their ability to prevent the incident. Furthermore, the victim is not required to prove that the owner was negligent or knew that the dog was likely to cause harm.

Statute of Limitations in Ohio for Dog Bite Cases

The statute of limitations under the dog bite law is six years. This means that a dog bite victim should file a lawsuit within six years of the incident date. The court might not accept the case if they fail to file the claim after the deadline unless their situation meets any of the following exceptions:

• The victim is a minor: The timeframe for filing a case will only begin once they turn 18.

• The defendant is outside the state: The clock does not begin until they come back to the state.

• The defendant is in prison: The time that the defendant spends in prison does not count toward the statute of limitations.

Reporting and Handling Dog Bite Incidents

According to Ohio state law, any person who receives a dog bite or knows of a person who has received a dog bite must notify the district health commissioner of the incident within 24 hours. The report can be filed by the person who was bitten, a healthcare professional, or a veterinarian. Local health districts are required to submit reports to the Ohio Department of Health. When making a dog bite incident report, the following details should be included:

• Dog description.

• Name of the dog owner.

• Location of the incident.

• How the dog bite occurred.

• Dog’s rabies vaccination record, if available.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog, make sure to clean the wound area thoroughly with water and soap, seek medical attention, obtain information about the dog owner, and get details about the dog. In addition, after the incident, ensure that the dog does not leave the county. The local health department recommends quarantining the dog for 10 days or for a certain period necessary to observe it for rabies. Activities involved during the quarantine period are as follows:

• Keeping the dog on a leash or in a contained space.

• Restricting contact with humans and unquarantined animals.

• Preventing play and licking that could encourage biting behavior.

• Educating owners on the symptoms of rabies.

If the dog becomes ill during the quarantine period, it should be evaluated by a veterinarian. The illness should then be reported to the local health department to decide whether to do rabies testing or perform euthanasia. If the dog is unvaccinated or overdue for a rabies vaccine and stays healthy during the observation period, a vaccine should be administered after the quarantine ends. If the dog dies or is euthanized during the observation period, its head must be submitted to the ODH’s Bureau of Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing.

How to Find a Dog Bite Attorney in Ohio

Individuals with injuries due to a dog attack are advised to contact an experienced personal injury or dog bite lawyer who can improve their likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome. They can assist in pursuing fair compensation, determining liability, gathering evidence, building a strong legal strategy, handling negotiations and communication, and filing paperwork. They can also provide victims with peace of mind, knowing that someone is protecting their rights and handling their case while they focus on recovery.

Other Resources for Dog Bite Victims in Ohio

Ohio Department of Health

The Ohio Department of Health aims to promote the health and well-being of Ohioans by reforming the state’s public health systems through funding streams and innovative collaborations. It also implements evidence-based and data-driven solutions and addresses social and economic factors within communities that contribute to health disparities. 

The OHD provides information about rabies and animal bites, including common signs of an animal with rabies and signs and symptoms of rabies in people. Its website lists the local health districts and their contact information. Its main office is located at 246 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

For further inquiries, you may complete the contact form or call the office at 614-466-3543. For rabies testing, the dog in question should be sent to the ODH’s Bureau of Public Health Laboratory, located at 8995 E. Main Street, Building 22, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. You may also reach out through email at odhlabs@odh.ohio.gov or by phone at 888-634-5227.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fortifies the nation’s health security and protects citizens against threats to health, safety, and security. It fights chronic, acute, curable, and preventable diseases. It also educates citizens on vaccinations that protect teens, children, and infants. Moreover, it regulates recommended and non-routine immunizations for different circumstances. 

The CDC promotes rabies awareness by providing information for various groups, such as veterinarians, travelers, diagnostic laboratories, and healthcare providers. For more information, you may contact the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or 888-232-6348. You may also send an email through its website.

Ohio County Dog Wardens Association

The Ohio County Dog Wardens Association is a nonprofit with the goal of promoting humane programs for canines and their owners. It educates the public about dog ownership and provides guidance to legislative bodies regarding dog control laws.