Ohio Dog Bite Laws: Owner Liability and Deadlines

Ohio has a dog bite statute that makes owners liable without proof that they knew the dog was dangerous, subject to the defenses written into the law.

Ohio dog bite law at a glance

Question	Answer
Type of rule	Strict liability
Main statute	R.C. 955.28(B)
Defenses	Criminal trespass, crime, teasing or abuse on owner's property
Filing deadline	6 years under the statute; 2 years at common law

What Ohio law says

R.C. 955.28(B) applies to owners, keepers and harborers.
Door-to-door solicitors are covered unless they were committing an offense or abusing the dog.
A dog attacking livestock or other animals (not cats or dogs) may be killed at the time (955.28(A)).

Strict liability vs. the one-bite rule

Under a strict liability statute, the owner is responsible for the injury even if the dog never showed aggression before and the owner was careful. The victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous; the main defenses are the ones written into the statute, such as provocation or trespassing.

Dangerous dog rules in Ohio

A nuisance dog threatens or tries to bite off the premises; a dangerous dog injures a person, kills a dog or has three confinement violations; a vicious dog kills or seriously injures a person (R.C. 955.11).
Dangerous dog owners need a locked roofed enclosure, $50 annual registration, warning signs, microchip, and a 6-foot chain leash plus muzzle or restraint off the premises (955.22).
Liability insurance is required only if a court orders it; designations are decided in court by clear and convincing evidence (955.222).

Deadline to file a claim

Justia's 50-state survey lists 6 years for claims under Ohio's dog bite statute (R.C. 955.28) and 2 years for common-law claims. The clock usually starts on the day of the bite. Different deadlines can apply to claims against a government agency or on behalf of a child, so confirm the deadline for your situation with a licensed attorney.

What to do after a dog bite

Get medical care, even for a small puncture; bites can become infected.
Get the owner's name, contact details and the dog's rabies vaccination status.
Report the bite to local animal control or the health department; many places require it so the dog can be observed for rabies.
Photograph the injuries and the location, and write down witness names.
Keep medical bills and records of missed work, and talk to an attorney before signing anything from an insurer.

If you own a dog that has bitten someone, follow any confinement order from animal control, keep the dog's rabies vaccination current, and consider working with a trainer or behaviorist. Leash rules are covered in Ohio leash laws.

Sources

This page summarizes state statutes for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and cities and counties often add their own rules; check the current statute and your local ordinance, or ask a licensed attorney about your situation.

Ohio Dog Bite Laws