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Family, prosecutors and county officials urge stiffer penalties and accountability in "Avery's Law" dog-bite bill
Summary
Witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing described a severe dog attack on a child and urged passage of House Bill 247 ("Avery's Law") to increase penalties, allow seizure of dangerous dogs and require owner accountability; proponents said current Ohio law often leaves victims without meaningful recourse.
A seventh-grade student who survived a near-fatal dog mauling and multiple witnesses urged the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to advance House Bill 247, known locally as Avery's Law, which would strengthen Ohio statutes on dangerous and vicious dogs and raise penalties for owners whose animals cause severe injury.
Avery Russell, who testified that she was attacked during a play date, told the committee about the physical and emotional aftermath. "I truly thought I was going to die," Avery Russell said. She described multiple surgeries and ongoing therapy and said the bill gives her "hope" that future victims will be better protected.
Her mother, Drew Russell, recounted the family's year of medical care and said criminal penalties in the case were insufficient. "She got four days in jail, three years probation, and was allowed to keep one of her violent dogs," Drew Russell said. "The punishments need to equate to the crimes."
Proponents, including Licking County Commissioner…
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