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Committee refers two city ordinances to council to close gap in dog laws and align definitions with state code
Summary
The Building and Housing Committee unanimously referred Ordinances 2024-72 and 2024-80 to council. One would create a new local offense for dogs that seriously injure other domestic animals; the other updates the city's "dangerous" and "vicious" dog definitions to match the Ohio Revised Code and removes breed-specific language.
The Building and Housing Committee unanimously referred two ordinances on Oct. 21 to the full University Heights City Council aimed at closing a gap in local animal-control enforcement and aligning city definitions with state law.
Chair Councilwoman Win Weizer opened the discussion on Ordinance 2024-72, saying the measure grew out of a recent dog-on-dog attack that left a pet seriously injured and highlighted that existing city code allowed only narrow charges such as dogs at large or lack of vaccination. "This was an ad which originated from a dog-on-dog attack that led to a dog being seriously injured and there was no way to charge the owner in that regard," Weizer said.
Law Director Brad Bryan told the committee staff narrowed proposed language to target attacks on a dog, a cat or a chicken rather than attempt a broad "domestic animal" definition. Bryan said the choice avoided disputes over which household animals should be covered and focused the ordinance on animals commonly found outside the home. He said the measure was reviewed by City Prosecutor Mike Cicero, who supported the approach.
The committee also considered Ordinance 2024-80, which would update Section 618.24 to make the local definitions of "dangerous" and "vicious" dogs identical to those in the Ohio Revised Code. Bryan said the update removes language that had treated pit bulls as prima facie evidence of a vicious dog so the local ordinance does not conflict with state law. Councilman Christopher Cooney praised the change as bringing the city into alignment with the state.
Both motions to refer the ordinances to the council passed on roll call with all members voting "aye." Weizer said the referrals put the measures on the council docket for final consideration.
What happens next
The ordinances will appear on an upcoming City Council agenda for full debate and final votes. Committee members said they expect the council to review Bryans drafted language and the prosecutors recommendations before acting.
