Avery’s Law, recently enacted in Ohio, bears the tragic backstory of a child severely injured in a dog attack in 2024. However, the law's broad and stringent stipulations might be inadvertently leading to the unnecessary euthanization of dogs that could otherwise be rehabilitated.

A new law in Ohio is now in effect-- and it’s changing how dog attacks are handled across the state.

It’s called Avery’s Law, named after a child who was severely injured in a 2024 dog attack. The law was signed in December 2025 and took effect March 20, 2026.

👉 What it does:
Avery’s Law expands both civil and criminal liability... meaning responsibility doesn’t just fall on the dog’s owner.

It can also apply to:
• Shelters
• Groomers & trainers
• Boarding facilities
• Anyone considered a “keeper” or “harborer”  (even someone temporarily watching a dog)

👉 New classifications for dogs:
• Nuisance Dog
• Dangerous Dog
• Vicious Dog

These categories now come with stricter definitions and penalties,  including cases where a dog causes injury without even making physical contact.

👉 What counts as “serious injury”?
• Risk of death
• Permanent disfigurement
• Long-term or severe pain
• Temporary or permanent loss of function

👉 Major changes under the law:
• Owners (and others) can face criminal charges even for a first-time incident
• Charges range from misdemeanors to felonies in severe cases
• Strict liability laws mean you can be charged even if you didn’t intend for anything to happen
• If a dog seriously injures or kills someone -- a court must order euthanasia!

👉 New requirements for dangerous/vicious dogs:
• At least $100,000 in liability insurance
• Secure confinement and proper fencing
• Registration, microchipping, and signage
• Must be restrained with a leash or muzzle outside confinement

👉 Why shelters are concerned:
This law could make it harder to take in or adopt out certain animals - especially those with unknown or behavioral histories.

🗣️ “Shelters across the state of Ohio are going to be faced with these very, very tough challenges… deciding what they’re going to do with that animal…”

🗣️ “There very well could be an uptick in euthanasia.”

Shelters say even one incident — especially in a stressful environment — could permanently affect a dog’s future.

🗣️ “That animal can bite and it may not normally do that because of the high stress level.”

And liability doesn’t stop after adoption.

🗣️ “They can hold everyone liable who has had a hand in raising that dog.”

👉 What this means moving forward:
• Documentation of a dog’s behavior is now critical
• Shelters and rescues may become more cautious about intake
• Dogs with unknown histories may be considered higher risk
• Adopters may face new insurance challenges

But shelters stress------- not all dogs should be feared.

🗣️ “I don’t want people to be discouraged from adopting because there are so many animals that are so full of love.”

📌 Bottom line:
Avery’s Law is designed to improve public safety,  but it also brings major changes to how dogs are handled, adopted, and cared for across Ohio.

As a pet owner and advocate, the current provisions of Avery’s Law present a troubling scenario where any dog involved in an attack is mandated to be euthanized, regardless of the potential for rehabilitation. This approach overlooks numerous cases where rehabilitation has successfully reformed dogs, transforming them into beloved family members and service animals. The case-by-case nature of dog behavior and environmental influences warrants a more nuanced consideration.

Avery’s Law, while understandably created from concern and tragedy, has unintended consequences that could reflect on shelters, dog grooming and training businesses, and the homes of responsible dog owners. By equating all dogs that have had incidents with their human caretakers as beyond saving, it erases the differences between accidental incidents and malicious behavior—and ignores viable paths to rehabilitation.

Ohio can lead the country in demonstrating how legislation can both protect communities and support humane treatment for animals. Implementing a provision that mandates professional behavioral assessment before deeming euthanasia as the only recourse would honor both the safety of communities and the sanctity of life.

The law’s punitive nature also extends liability risk to associated professionals like groomers and trainers, discouraging them from working with certain breeds or cases, thus exacerbating the issue. Instituting mandatory behavioral training, education, or corrective programs aligned with best practices could ameliorate the intent without blanket judgments and responses.

The essence of Avery’s Law should not only be protection from attacks but also strive to preserve life wherever possible. Support the amendment of Avery's Law to include a provision for rehabilitation assessments and humane treatments instead of automatic decisions.

Please sign this petition urging Ohio lawmakers to revisit and amend Avery’s Law to allow rehabilitative assessments and options, safeguarding both our community and the lives of animals affected.