Ohio’s dog bite landscape changed permanently on March 18, 2026, when Avery’s Law (HB 247) took effect, restructuring how the state handles dangerous dog liability, insurance requirements, and victim compensation. For anyone bitten or attacked by a dog in Ohio — or for dog owners scrambling to understand their new legal obligations — this law introduces mandatory $100,000 liability insurance coverage, immediate seizure authority for dog wardens, and upgraded criminal penalties that make Ohio one of the most enforcement-forward states in the country. Combined with $1.86 billion paid in homeowner insurance dog bite claims in 2025 per the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), with the average claim reaching $65,450, the Avery’s Law Ohio 2026 dog liability insurance mandate dangerous dogs framework is reshaping personal injury strategy for victims seeking fair compensation right now.
What Is Avery’s Law and Why Did Ohio Pass It in 2026?
Avery’s Law — formally House Bill 247 — amends Ohio Revised Code Chapter 955 and was named in honor of a child attack victim whose case exposed systemic gaps in Ohio’s dangerous dog enforcement. Before this law, Ohio’s framework allowed dog owners to relocate across county lines to escape a dangerous dog designation — a loophole that enabled repeat attacks and left victims without recourse against uninsured owners. The Avery’s Law Ohio 2026 dog liability insurance mandate dangerous dogs legislation closes those gaps through four major reforms.
First, the law mandates that owners of any dog designated as vicious or dangerous under ORC Chapter 955 must carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance — notably, this insurance requirement has now been expanded to cover dogs designated as dangerous, not just those designated as vicious as was previously the case. Second, it grants dog wardens immediate seizure authority following an attack under ORC §955.26 and §955.27, removing the delay that previously allowed dangerous animals to remain in households while bureaucratic processes unfolded. Third, criminal penalties were upgraded for unprovoked attacks causing serious bodily injury, elevating what were misdemeanor-level offenses for negligent owners. Importantly, Avery’s Law also allows dog owners, keepers, and harborers to be charged with negligently allowing their dog to commit dangerous acts even without a prior dangerous or vicious designation, with penalties ranging from fourth to second degree misdemeanors. Fourth — and critically for victims — a statewide dangerous dog registry now eliminates the county-hopping loophole, creating a unified database that tracks designated animals regardless of where the owner moves within Ohio.
Ohio’s Strict Liability Standard: What Hasn’t Changed Under Avery’s Law
While Avery’s Law restructures enforcement and insurance requirements significantly, it’s essential to understand what it did not change. Ohio’s civil strict liability under ORC §955.28(B) remains intact and unchanged. Ohio does not require a prior bite history to hold an owner liable — there is no “one free bite” rule in this state. If a dog bites you, the owner is strictly liable for your injuries regardless of whether the dog had any prior documented aggression. The Avery’s Law Ohio 2026 dog liability insurance mandate dangerous dogs framework strengthens enforcement around that existing strict liability standard without weakening the victim’s right to recover.
Thomas B. Harrison is a personal injury legal consultant with extensive experience connecting injury victims with qualified attorneys across the United States. He specializes in helping people understand when they need legal representation and how to find the right personal injury attorney for their specific situation. Thomas is not an attorney and the information he provides is for educational purposes only.