Ohio law universally requires dog owners to keep dogs confined or under reasonable control at all times, with municipalities free to add stricter local leash ordinances.
ORC 955.22 imposes a statewide duty on every dog owner, keeper, or harborer to keep their dog physically confined on the owner's premises or under reasonable control of some person whenever off the premises. This applies uniformly across Ohio regardless of city or county. Violation is a minor misdemeanor for a first offense and rises to higher misdemeanor levels for repeat offenses. The statute also addresses running at large and pursuit of livestock. ORC 955.28 authorizes any person to kill a dog that is chasing or injuring livestock or has been designated dangerous and is at large.
First-offense violations are minor misdemeanors with fines up to $150; subsequent offenses can be fourth-degree misdemeanors with fines up to $250 and 30 days in jail.
See how Heath's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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