COLUMBUS, OH – State Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) announced today, Monday, June 23, 2025, at 12:54 PM EDT, that the Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 247, dubbed “Avery’s Law,” aimed at establishing stricter regulations on owners of vicious dogs to prevent attacks. The legislation, reported at 1:15 PM EDT, seeks to bolster community safety across the state.
Miller, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized its importance, stating, “This critical legislation will increase public safety throughout Ohio communities. We must hold owners of dangerous and vicious dogs accountable when they fail to control their dogs, while also protecting dogs who are defending themselves or their households.”
Key measures in House Bill 247 include criminal penalties for owners who negligently allow their dogs to attack without provocation, granting local dog wardens immediate seizure authority post-attack, and revising investigation and enforcement protocols for dog law violations. The bill also offers protections for dogs acting in self-defense or to safeguard their owners or property. In cases where a dog kills or seriously injures a person, termination is mandated following due process.
Named in honor of 11-year-old Avery Russell, who suffered severe injuries in a dog attack in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, in June 2024, the bill reflects a response to such incidents. House Bill 247 now advances to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
