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Committee hears multiple bills to tighten Ohio’s dangerous-dog laws after severe attacks
Summary
Sponsors presented three related bills (House Bills 240, 241 and 247) proposing broader definitions of dangerous/vicious dogs, mandatory reporting, stricter containment rules, a $100,000 minimum liability requirement, 10‑day quarantine/impound periods, and increased penalties; members raised concerns about shelter capacity and funding.
Lawmakers in the House Public Safety Committee heard sponsor and proponent testimony on a cluster of bills intended to strengthen Ohio’s dangerous‑dog laws following high-profile attacks.
Representative Meredith Lawson Rowe, sponsor of House Bill 240 (branded in testimony as “Avery’s Law”), recounted the case of an 11‑year‑old child who suffered severe facial injuries in an unrestrained‑dog attack and said the bill would expand definitions of dangerous, nuisance and vicious dogs to include animals that attack or seriously injure companion animals, require veterinarians and health-care providers to report attacks within 24 hours, and require dogs found dangerous to be properly contained. Lawson Rowe also said the bill would set a $100,000 minimum…
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