Ohio Eliminated Pit Bull Breed-Specific Designations

Effective May 22, 2012, Ohio HB 14 amended ORC 955.11 to remove pit bulls from the automatic vicious dog category. Dogs are now classified individually as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious based on documented behavior such as biting, chasing, or causing serious injury. Owners of dogs designated dangerous must register annually, maintain $100,000 liability insurance under ORC 955.22(I), use leashes and muzzles in public, and post signage. While the state no longer presumes any breed dangerous, Ohio's home rule doctrine allows cities like Lakewood to enact local pit bull restrictions, though many have repealed them following the state change.

Failing to control a designated dangerous or vicious dog is a first-degree misdemeanor or fourth-degree felony, with fines up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment.