Avery's Law proposes comprehensive amendments to the Revised Code regarding the regulation of dogs, particularly focusing on dangerous and vicious dogs. The bill introduces new definitions for "vicious dog," "dangerous dog," and "nuisance dog," which are determined based on prior behavior and court findings. It establishes a registration process for dog owners, requiring them to submit applications to the county auditor and pay adjusted registration fees. The bill also repeals several existing sections related to dog regulation to streamline the legal framework. Additionally, it modifies laws concerning electronic records, ensuring that electronic filings hold the same legal weight as paper filings, and clarifies the responsibilities of agritourism providers regarding liability and risk management.

The legislation further outlines specific requirements for dog sellers, including the necessity to provide detailed information about the dog and obtain the buyer's acknowledgment of acquiring a dangerous or vicious dog. It establishes penalties for non-compliance and clarifies the responsibilities of dog owners, including obtaining liability insurance for dangerous dogs and ensuring proper registration. The bill also introduces new procedures for handling dogs classified as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious, including the potential for humane destruction in severe cases. Notably, it updates legal references, such as changing the section from 955.222 to 955.23 concerning dog designations, and enhances protections for service animals while establishing clear legal consequences for harming them. Overall, the bill aims to improve public safety and responsible pet ownership through these updated regulations.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 304.02, 304.03, 715.23, 901.80, 935.03, 955.01, 955.011, 955.012, 955.02, 955.03, 955.04, 955.05, 955.06, 955.07, 955.10, 955.11, 955.12, 955.121, 955.14, 955.16, 955.20, 955.22, 955.221, 955.222, 955.26, 955.261, 955.40, 955.43, 955.44, 955.50, 955.54, 959.132, 1533.12, 1901.18, 1907.031, 2913.01, 2921.321, 955.021, 955.022, 955.013, 955.023, 955.09, 955.08, 955.24, 955.23, 955.262, 955.21, 955.25, 955.39, 955.51, 955.52, 955.53, 955.99
As Reported By House Committee: 304.02, 304.03, 715.23, 901.80, 935.03, 955.01, 955.011, 955.012, 955.02, 955.03, 955.04, 955.05, 955.06, 955.07, 955.10, 955.11, 955.12, 955.121, 955.14, 955.16, 955.20, 955.22, 955.221, 955.222, 955.26, 955.261, 955.40, 955.43, 955.44, 955.50, 955.54, 959.132, 1533.12, 1901.18, 1907.031, 2913.01, 2921.321, 955.021, 955.022, 955.013, 955.023, 955.09, 955.08, 955.24, 955.23, 955.262, 955.21, 955.25, 955.39, 955.51, 955.52, 955.53, 955.99
As Passed By House: 304.02, 304.03, 715.23, 901.80, 935.03, 955.01, 955.011, 955.012, 955.02, 955.03, 955.04, 955.05, 955.06, 955.07, 955.10, 955.11, 955.12, 955.121, 955.14, 955.16, 955.20, 955.22, 955.221, 955.222, 955.26, 955.261, 955.40, 955.43, 955.44, 955.50, 955.54, 959.132, 1533.12, 1901.18, 1907.031, 2913.01, 2921.321, 955.021, 955.022, 955.013, 955.023, 955.09, 955.08, 955.24, 955.23, 955.262, 955.21, 955.25, 955.39, 955.51, 955.52, 955.53, 955.99