Akron, OH Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed Bans
- None. Ohio repealed BSL in 2012
- State Law
- Ohio HB 14 (2012)
- Dangerous Dogs
- Behavior-based designation
- Insurance
- $100,000 liability for vicious dogs
Summary
Akron does not enforce breed-specific legislation. Ohio repealed its statewide pit bull designation in 2012. Dogs are regulated based on individual behavior. Dogs declared dangerous or vicious face additional requirements regardless of breed.
(1) "Vicious dog act" means one of the following actions committed by a dog without provocation, other than by a police dog that is being used to assist one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties:
(a) The killing of any person;
(b) Causing serious injury to any person by physical contact;
(c) Engaging in a dangerous dog act after the dog has been designated as a dangerous dog under section 955.23 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Dangerous dog act" means one of the following actions committed by a dog without provocation, other than by a police dog that is being used to assist one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties:
(a) Causing injury by physical contact, other than killing or serious injury, to any person in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack;
(b) Causing serious injury to any person without making physical contact in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack;
(c) The killing of another dog;
(d) Causing serious injury to another dog that results in euthanasia of the dog by a person authorized to perform euthanasia under Ohio law.
(3) "Nuisance dog act" means one of the following actions committed by a dog without provocation and while off the premises of its owner, keeper, or harborer, other than by a police dog that is being used to assist one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties:
(a) Chasing or approaching a person in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack;
(b) Attempting to bite or otherwise endanger any person in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack;
(c) Causing injury to any person without making physical contact in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack;
(d) Chasing, threatening, harassing, or injuring another dog or livestock in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack;
(e) Having been the subject of a third or subsequent violation of section 955.21 of the Revised Code.
Full Breakdown
Ohio repealed breed-specific language from the Revised Code in 2012 (HB 14), removing the automatic vicious designation for pit bulls. Akron follows this behavior-based approach. Dogs declared dangerous or vicious after bite incidents must be registered, confined in a secure enclosure, muzzled in public, and covered by liability insurance. Owners of vicious dogs must carry at least $100,000 in liability coverage.
Violations & Fines
Owners of dangerous or vicious dogs who violate confinement, muzzling, or insurance requirements face misdemeanor charges. Dogs may be impounded or euthanized for serious bite incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Akron?
What if my dog is declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Akron
How Akron compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Akron to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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