Oregon, OH Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Oregon Codified Ordinances § 505.30
- Who is covered
- Convicted felons, offenses since May 22, 2012
- Restricted dog age
- Unspayed/unneutered, over 12 weeks
- Duration
- 3 years from release or conviction
- Penalty
- First-degree misdemeanor
Summary
Oregon, Ohio has no general spay/neuter mandate for pet owners, but it does bar anyone convicted of a qualifying felony committed on or after May 22, 2012 from owning, possessing or living with an unspayed or unneutered dog over 12 weeks old for three years after release or conviction. A violation is a first-degree misdemeanor.
505.30 POSSESSION OF CERTAIN DOGS BY CONVICTED FELONS PROHIBITED. ... (a) No person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony offense of violence committed on or after May 22, 2012, or a felony violation of any provision of Ohio R.C. Chapter 959, Ohio R.C. Chapter 2923, or Ohio R.C. Chapter 2925 committed on or after May 22, 2012, shall knowingly own, possess, have custody of, or reside in a residence with any of the following for a period of three years commencing either upon the date of release of the person from any period of incarceration imposed for the offense or violation or, if the person is not incarcerated for the offense or violation, upon the date that the person plead guilty to or was convicted of the offense or violation: (1) An unspayed or unneutered dog older than twelve weeks of age; ... (c) Whoever recklessly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Full Breakdown
30 does not require the general public to spay or neuter pets; instead it targets people with a specific criminal history. C. Chapter 959 (offenses relating to animals), Chapter 2923 (weapons/conspiracy) or Chapter 2925 (drug offenses), committed on or after May 22, 2012, from knowingly owning, possessing, having custody of, or residing in a household with an unspayed or unneutered dog older than twelve weeks of age. The restriction runs for three years, starting either from the date the person is released from incarceration for the qualifying offense, or, if the person was never incarcerated, from the date of the guilty plea or conviction.
C. Chapter 955, and dogs lacking a permanently implanted, uniquely numbered microchip, so a qualifying felon effectively cannot possess any dog in Oregon unless it is fixed, undesignated, and microchipped. The ordinance exempts anyone currently confined in a Department of Rehabilitation and Correction institution, since the restriction only bites once the person is at large in the community, and it does not apply retroactively to a dog the person already owned before May 22, 2012.
Violations & Fines
A reckless violation of Section 505.30 is a first-degree misdemeanor under subsection (c), Ohio's second-highest misdemeanor tier, carrying up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Because the standard is reckless rather than strict liability, the City must show the qualifying felon knew or should have known of the risk that the dog was unspayed, unneutered, designated dangerous or unchipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon, Ohio require all pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs?
How long does the restriction on felons owning unfixed dogs last?
Is there an exception for a dog I already owned before my felony conviction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oregon
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Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Lucas County handle mandatory spay/neuter.