Rep. Thomas Applauds Signing of Avery's Law

State Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson) today announced that the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 247 – also known as “Avery’s Law” – legislation that would establish new requirements on vicious dog owners to prevent dog attacks in Ohio.

“This law will hopefully save lives and prevent the tragedy of Avery’s story and others who have reached out from my district. It is a long overdue change to how we treat dangerous dogs and negligent owners in Ohio,” said Representative David Thomas.

Key provisions of the bill are as follows: 

• Imposes criminal penalties on a dog owner if he or she negligently fails to keep their dog from committing, without provocation, an attack;
• Gives the local dog warden the authority to seize a dog immediately following such an attack;
• Revises the investigation and enforcement requirements for when an authority receives any complaint that indicates a possible violation of any provision of the Dog Law;
• Includes protections for dogs that are defending themselves, their owners, or their property;
• After receiving due process, mandates termination of the dog if it kills or seriously injures a person.

House Bill 247 is named ‘Avery’s Law’ in honor of Avery Russell, who was severely injured in a dog attack in Reynoldsburg, Ohio in June 2024, when she was 11 years old.

House Bill 247 will go into effect on March 18, 2026.