Dog attacks can be traumatic, leaving both physical and emotional scars. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Ohio, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities.
Ohio has specific dog bite reporting requirements, and knowing what steps to take after a dog attack can protect your health and legal options.
In this blog, we’ll explain the Ohio dog bite reporting requirements, what happens if you don’t report a dog bite, and how to report a dog attack. If you’ve experienced a dog bite, the team at Bensinger Legal Services is here to help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.
To arrange a free consultation with an experienced Ohio dog bite lawyer, feel free to call us directly at (419) 455-1410 or you can contact us online. We look forward to helping you.
Do Dog Bites Have to Be Reported in Ohio?
Yes. Dog bites must be reported in Ohio. According to Ohio Revised Code Section 955.261, anyone with knowledge of a dog bite incident must report it to the local health commissioner or animal control authority. This includes the victim, dog owner, and healthcare providers or witnesses.
This obligation comes from two separate laws. Ohio Revised Code Section 955.261 covers the general duty to report. Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3701-3-28 separately requires that all dog, cat, and mammal bites be reported to the local health district where the bite occurred. This rule applies specifically to medical providers, hospitals, urgent care centers, and veterinary professionals. Both rules work together to ensure that bites are tracked, quarantines are enforced, and rabies risk is assessed quickly.
Ohio Revised Code Section 955.261 also contains specific rules that apply to the dog and its owner immediately after a bite occurs. These rules are just as important as the initial reporting requirement:
- The dog cannot be moved out of the county. No person may remove a dog that has bitten someone from the county where the bite occurred until the quarantine period is complete.
- The dog cannot be transferred to another person. The owner may not transfer the dog to another individual during the quarantine period. However, transferring the dog to the county dog warden or animal control is permitted.
- Killing the dog before quarantine ends is prohibited — with one exception. If the dog must be killed to prevent further injury or death, or if it is diseased or seriously injured, the person who kills the dog must immediately notify the local board of health and hold the dog’s body until authorities claim it for rabies testing.
- Police dogs have a limited exemption. Law enforcement dogs that bite someone during official duties are generally exempt from these rules. However, if a police dog shows abnormal behavior after a bite, the law enforcement agency must make the dog available for rabies testing within a reasonable time.
The quarantine period is typically 10 days from the date of the bite, during which the dog is observed for signs of rabies.
The primary purpose of reporting a dog bite is to assess the potential for rabies exposure and ensure that the dog is quarantined and monitored for any signs of illness. Additionally, reporting helps authorities track dangerous dogs and prevent future attacks.
Failure to report a dog bite can lead to public health risks, as it may expose other individuals to potentially dangerous or aggressive animals. Reporting also establishes a record of the attack, which can be critical if you decide to pursue legal action against the dog owner for your injuries.
Ohio’s Dog Bite Law Just Changed: What You Need to Know About Avery’s Law (2026)
Ohio’s dog bite laws were significantly updated in early 2026. On December 19, 2025, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 247 — known as Avery’s Law — and it took effect on March 18, 2026. The bill passed the Ohio House 97–0 and the Ohio Senate 33–0, reflecting broad agreement that Ohio’s previous laws were not strong enough to protect the public.
Avery’s Law is named after Avery Russell, an 11-year-old girl from Reynoldsburg, Ohio who was severely injured in a dog attack in June 2024. Her injuries required multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, and she continues to face lasting physical and emotional effects. Her story exposed major gaps in Ohio’s existing dangerous dog statutes and prompted lawmakers to act.
What Avery’s Law Changed
The law creates a formal three-tier classification system for dog behavior:
- Nuisance dog: A dog that has chased or threatened a person or another dog in a menacing way, without causing injury.
- Dangerous dog: A dog that has attacked a person or another dog without causing serious injury.
- Vicious dog: A dog that has killed or caused serious injury to a person.
These classifications are based entirely on behavior — not breed. Ohio repealed its breed-specific legislation in 2012, and Avery’s Law continues that approach.
New Requirements for Owners of Classified Dogs
If a dog is classified as dangerous or vicious, the owner is now required to:
- Register the dog annually with the county dog warden and pay a $100 annual registration fee
- Carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance for each classified dog
- Comply with strict confinement and control requirements set by the county
Failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offense.
New Criminal Penalties for Dog Owners
Avery’s Law introduced criminal penalties that did not exist under prior Ohio law:
- If an owner negligently fails to prevent an unprovoked attack by a dog already classified as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious, they can face criminal charges.
- A dangerous dog that attacks is now a fourth-degree misdemeanor for the owner.
- A vicious dog attack causing serious injury can result in charges ranging up to a fourth-degree felony.
Mandatory Euthanasia in the Most Serious Cases
Under Avery’s Law, if a dog kills or causes serious injury to a person in an unprovoked attack, a court must now order the dog’s humane euthanasia. Under prior Ohio law, euthanasia was only mandatory after a dog killed a second person. An exception applies if the serious injury occurred during playful or non-aggressive behavior.
What This Means for Dog Bite Victims
If you were bitten by a dog that had a prior history of aggression or a prior classification, the owner’s failure to comply with Avery’s Law requirements can strengthen your civil claim. Evidence of non-compliance — such as a failure to register the dog or carry the required insurance — can be used to show negligence and may increase the compensation available to you.
If you have questions about how Avery’s Law applies to your situation, contact our team for a free consultation.
Contact our Ohio dog bite lawyers for a free consultation
What Happens If You Don’t Report a Dog Bite?
There are personal and public consequences if you fail to adhere to Ohio dog bite reporting requirements. One of the primary risks is rabies, a serious and potentially fatal disease that can spread through a dog bite.
There are also specific legal penalties for violating the duties set out in Ohio Revised Code Section 955.261. If a person recklessly violates the quarantine or reporting requirements — for example, by moving the dog out of the county before quarantine ends — that is a minor misdemeanor on the first offense and a fourth-degree misdemeanor on each subsequent offense. On the civil side, if an owner’s failure to report or quarantine a dog leads to a second attack, that noncompliance history can be introduced as evidence in a lawsuit and may significantly increase the damages a court awards.
Without proper reporting and quarantine of the dog, rabies exposure might go undetected, putting your health and others at risk. Additionally, failing to report a bite could limit your legal recourse if you file a claim for damages later. Establishing an official record through a report is key to building a strong case for compensation.
Furthermore, Ohio law requires the quarantine of a dog after a bite to observe for rabies; without reporting, this procedure may not occur. Protect your health and future by understanding that reporting a dog bite is a legal requirement and a crucial step in ensuring your safety.
Do Doctors Have to Report Dog Bites?
Yes. Medical professionals, hospitals, and urgent care centers are legally required to report dog bites to local health departments or animal control. These reports help prevent rabies, protect public safety, and track dangerous animals.
This report ensures proper protocols are followed, such as observing the dog for rabies and documenting the injury.
If you’re wondering if doctors have to report dog bites, rest assured that this requirement is in place to protect both the victim and the community.
Filing a Dog Bite Police Report
In some cases, filing a dog bite police report may be necessary. If the dog’s owner refuses to cooperate or if the dog is known to be aggressive, contacting law enforcement is a smart step. While the local health department is the primary agency for handling dog bites, the police can assist in situations where the dog or owner poses an ongoing threat to public safety. A police report can also provide additional documentation for your personal injury claim.
How to Report a Dog Attack
How to report a dog attack in Ohio depends on the severity of the situation. If the bite is serious and requires immediate medical attention, contact emergency services first. Then, follow up with your local health department or animal control.
You can contact the health department directly if the bite is less severe. They will investigate the bite, ensure the dog is quarantined, and monitor for rabies. You can typically file a report online or over the phone by providing details of the incident, including the dog’s description, the owner’s information (if known), and the circumstances of the attack.
What Are the Next Steps After Reporting?
Once you report the bite, authorities will handle the investigation. They will check the dog’s vaccination status, determine if quarantine is necessary, and keep the public informed. For the bite victim, getting medical treatment and documenting your injuries is essential. This documentation can include taking photos, getting witness statements, and keeping records of all medical care received.
In many cases, dog bite victims can receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Ohio follows a strict liability law, meaning the dog owner is typically responsible for the bite, even if the dog had no previous history of aggression.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Dog Bite Reporting
How long does a dog have to be quarantined after biting someone in Ohio?
In Ohio, the standard quarantine period is 10 days from the date of the bite. During this time, the dog must remain in the county where the bite occurred and be monitored for signs of rabies. No one may move or transfer the dog until quarantine is complete.
Can a dog be put down after just one bite in Ohio?
Under Ohio’s updated law (Avery’s Law, effective March 2026), yes — in certain situations. If a dog causes serious injury or death to a person in an unprovoked attack, a court is now required to order the dog’s humane euthanasia, even if it is the dog’s first offense. Previously, mandatory euthanasia only applied after a dog killed a second person.
What is the statute of limitations for a dog bite claim in Ohio?
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, you generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim. If you wait longer than two years, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a bite.
Does the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance cover dog bite injuries?
In many cases, yes. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies often include personal liability coverage that applies to dog bite injuries. However, some policies exclude certain dog breeds or dogs with a prior bite history. Under Avery’s Law, owners of dogs classified as dangerous or vicious are now required by Ohio law to carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance specifically for their dog.
Do I need a lawyer after a dog bite in Ohio?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but it is strongly recommended — especially if you needed medical treatment, missed work, or suffered lasting injury. Ohio is a strict liability state for dog bites, meaning the owner is responsible even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. An experienced Ohio dog bite attorney can help you document your injuries, handle communication with the insurance company, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
What is strict liability, and what does it mean for my dog bite case?
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28, Ohio follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. This means you do not have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten anyone before. As long as you were lawfully on the property and did not provoke, tease, or abuse the dog, the owner is legally responsible for your injuries. The only exceptions are if the victim was trespassing or committing a criminal offense at the time of the bite.
Do hospitals have to report dog bites?
Yes, hospitals and healthcare providers are legally obligated to report dog bites. This obligation applies regardless of injury severity. Physicians must document the incident and report it to local authorities, such as animal control or the public health department.
Contact Bensinger Legal Services for Legal Guidance
At Bensinger Legal Services, we understand the emotional and physical toll a dog bite can take. We have extensive experience helping clients navigate Ohio’s legal system to get the compensation they deserve.
Reporting a dog bite is just the first step. Our team will work with you to hold the responsible party accountable and fight for the justice and financial relief you need to move forward.
If a dog has injured you, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the process every step of the way.
For more information about Ohio dog bite reporting requirements or to schedule a consultation, contact Bensinger Legal Services today.You can call us directly at (419) 455-1410 or you can contact us online. You don’t have to go through this alone—we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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