Middletown, OH Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 618.17(b) defines three tiers of dog by behavior, not breed. A NUISANCE DOG has chased or approached a person off its owner's premises in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or attempted to bite, without provocation. A DANGEROUS DOG has, without provocation, caused injury short of killing or serious injury to a person, killed another dog, or been the subject of a third or subsequent running-at-large violation under § 618.01(f) or R.C. § 955.22(c). A VICIOUS DOG has, without provocation, killed or caused serious injury to a person. Police dogs acting in the line of duty, and dogs responding to a trespasser committing a crime, are excluded from all three categories.

Once a dog is declared dangerous, division (c) requires its owner, keeper, or harborer to keep it in a locked, topped pen, fenced yard, or enclosure while on the owner's premises, and, when off-premises, on a chain-link leash or tether no longer than six feet, combined with either a locked enclosure, a capable handler in close control, or a muzzle. Division (d) adds liability insurance if a court orders it, a dangerous-dog registration certificate and identifying tag from the county auditor under R.C. § 955.22(I), and a duty to notify the dog warden immediately if the dog escapes, bites someone, or attacks another animal off the owner's property, plus notice to the auditor within ten days if the dog is sold, transferred, or dies. A vicious dog's owner must additionally carry at least $100,000 in liability coverage under division (e).

Penalties in division (f) scale with the violation: failing to confine a dangerous dog under (c) is a fourth-degree misdemeanor rising to third-degree on repeat offenses, and a court may order the dog humanely destroyed instead of, or along with, other sanctions. Failing to register or notify under (d) is generally a minor misdemeanor, except failing to obtain the registration certificate itself, which is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Failing to insure a vicious dog under (e) is a minor misdemeanor.