THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT. A NEW BILL IS IN THE WORKS OF THE OHIO STATE HOUSE. THAT WOULD CHANGE THE DOG ATTACK LAWS IN THE STATE. NOW, THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE DOGS BE EUTHANIZED AFTER THEY SERIOUSLY INJURE OR EVEN KILL A HUMAN. RIGHT NOW, THE CURRENT LAW GIVES JUDGES THE POWER TO DECIDE A DOG’S FATE. LAWMAKERS SAY THAT THE NEW LAW WOULD ONLY APPLY TO UNPROVOKED ATTACKS. IT WOULD ALSO CLARIFY LANGUAGE IN THE CURRENT LAW THAT WOULD GIVE DOG WARDENS MORE FLEXIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO SEIZING DOGS THAT ATTACK. LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE CECIL THOMAS IS ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS DETERMINED TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CURRENT LAW. IF THE DOG WARDEN IS SAYING THAT THE LANGUAGE IN THE STATUTE DOES NOT ALLOW HIM TO TAKE THE DOG, THEN THERE’S A PROBLEM WITH THE STATUTE ITSELF. DOG JUST MANGLED MY ARM UP, AND NOW YOU’RE GOING TO. LEAVE THE DOG IN THE COMMUNITY. NOW, YOU CAN’T DO THAT. LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING ENHANCING PENALTIES FOR DOG OWNERS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES. ALL OF THIS COMES AFTER GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE CALL
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Amid series of dog attacks seen across Ohio, lawmakers weigh mandatory euthanasia for dogs that commit attacks
Updated: 6:59 PM EDT Apr 12, 2025
Amid a range of dog attacks that have occurred across southwest Ohio recently, Ohio lawmakers are considering making changes to euthanasia laws for dogs that have committed attacks.The proposal making its way through the legislature would mandate that dogs that have bitten people would be required by law to be euthanized. Ohio law currently gives county judges the power to decide whether or not dogs that commit attacks should be put down.Democratic state Rep. Cecil Thomas of Cincinnati is one of the lawmakers working on the legislation, which he says has bipartisan support. Gov DeWine called for reform surrounding the laws regarding dog attacks last month.”If the dog warden is saying that the language in the statute does not allow him to take the dog, then there’s a problem with the statute itself,” Thomas told WLWT. “The dog just mangled my arm up, and now you’re going to leave the dog in the community? Nah, you can’t do that.”Additionally, the bill also aims to give dog wardens more power when it comes to taking custody of dogs that attack people. Penalties for owners who own a dog that attacks someone else would also be increased.A number of high-profile dog attacks have occurred across southwest Ohio recently. In December, a 3-year-old girl was killed by two dogs in Roselawn, while separate dog attacks occurred over the past few months in Colerain Township, Hyde Park, and College Hill. Additionally, a police officer was attacked by a dog while on duty last month in Winton Hills.
Amid a range of dog attacks that have occurred across southwest Ohio recently, Ohio lawmakers are considering making changes to euthanasia laws for dogs that have committed attacks.
The proposal making its way through the legislature would mandate that dogs that have bitten people would be required by law to be euthanized. Ohio law currently gives county judges the power to decide whether or not dogs that commit attacks should be put down.
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Democratic state Rep. Cecil Thomas of Cincinnati is one of the lawmakers working on the legislation, which he says has bipartisan support. Gov DeWine called for reform surrounding the laws regarding dog attacks last month.
“If the dog warden is saying that the language in the statute does not allow him to take the dog, then there’s a problem with the statute itself,” Thomas told WLWT. “The dog just mangled my arm up, and now you’re going to leave the dog in the community? Nah, you can’t do that.”
Additionally, the bill also aims to give dog wardens more power when it comes to taking custody of dogs that attack people. Penalties for owners who own a dog that attacks someone else would also be increased.
A number of high-profile dog attacks have occurred across southwest Ohio recently. In December, a 3-year-old girl was killed by two dogs in Roselawn, while separate dog attacks occurred over the past few months in Colerain Township, Hyde Park, and College Hill. Additionally, a police officer was attacked by a dog while on duty last month in Winton Hills.
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