[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/ohio-dog-bite-laws\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/ohio-dog-bite-laws\/","headline":"Ohio Laws Regarding Dog Bite Injuries","name":"Ohio Laws Regarding Dog Bite Injuries","description":"Nearly 4.5 million people in the United States are injured by dogs every year, according to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control. Dog bites aren\u2019t just scary, they can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Animals carry diseases which they can transfer to...","datePublished":"2019-07-03","dateModified":"2025-08-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/author\/julius\/#Person","name":"Julius Amourgis","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/author\/julius\/","identifier":50,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e49a6abb900684fc2323b7043eaceeb537475408ebc3a2cefbbe0ce24506d3b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e49a6abb900684fc2323b7043eaceeb537475408ebc3a2cefbbe0ce24506d3b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amourgis & Associates Attorneys at Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Logo-header-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Logo-header-1.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/ohio-dog-bite-laws.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/ohio-dog-bite-laws.jpg","height":334,"width":500},"url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/ohio-dog-bite-laws\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":709,"articleBody":"Nearly 4.5 million people in the United States are injured by dogs every year, according to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control. Dog bites aren\u2019t just scary, they can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Animals carry diseases which they can transfer to humans and their teeth can cause real damage.Dog owners can be at risk for liability issues if their dog attacks someone. Victims can file a lawsuit against dog owners seeking compensation. In Ohio, there are some special restrictions regarding this\u00a0type of personal injury case, however. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the state\u2019s laws regarding bite injuries and how they apply to both victims and dog owners.Ohio\u2019s One Bite RuleIn the state of Ohio, dogs don\u2019t need to show a history of aggressive behavior to cause legal problems for their owners. There is a strict liability burden of proof in vigor for these cases. The \u201cone bite\u201d rule states that owners are liable even for the first injury their pet causes. This is different from other\u00a0personal injury laws in Ohio\u00a0involving negligence where the plaintiff\u2019s lawyer must prove the owner had prior knowledge of the pet\u2019s aggressiveness and failed to meet the\u00a0duty of care.Similar to other personal injury cases, in Ohio there is a two-year\u00a0statute of limitations. This gives victims a set window of time in which a lawsuit must be filed. From the day on which the dog bite occurred, they have two years to begin the process of seeking compensation.Liability for Dog Owners in OhioAccording to\u00a0Section 955.28(B) of the Ohio Legal Code, dog \u2018harborers\u2019 are liable for any damages, injuries or death caused by their dog. A \u2018harborer\u2019 would be the adult responsible for the pet at the time of the incident: the owner, owner of the property where the dog lives (this usually doesn\u2019t apply to landlords), or dog walker.The law is applicable to dog bite wounds and other injuries \u2013 such as\u00a0falls, harm to property or livestock \u2013 caused by the dog. It also covers door-to-door sales representatives, even if they do not have a proper permit.Legal Recourse for Victims of Dog Bites in OhioVictims of pet injuries can get compensation for their medical bills, property damage, related loss of work and income, psychological harm, pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages. You can\u2019t file a personal injury lawsuit for a dog bite, however, if you were trespassing on the property, committing a crime or provoking the animal somehow.If the dog is killed while attacking a person or animal, that person is not liable to prosecution according to the penal laws regarding animal cruelty.Anyone who has been bitten by a dog should first wash the wound with soap and water, it\u2019s possible. Then, they should seek immediate medical attention. Bite victims are at risk for infection, they may need a rabies vaccination, stitches or plastic surgery to repair the damaged area. Next, you should get the contact information for the responsible party. Finally, discuss your legal options with a personal injury attorney.Learn more about\u00a0How to Collect Evidence for Personal Injury Cases.Legal Recourse for Dog Owners in OhioWhat are your legal options if your dog has hurt someone? Pet owners should check with their homeowner\u2019s insurance; less serious claims may be covered by your policy.If a personal injury claim is brought against you as the pet owner, there are a number of legitimate legal defenses. Compensation for the victim may be denied, if:The victim was not committing or attempting to commit a crime,The injured person wasn\u2019t trespassing at the time,The victim didn\u2019t provoke the dog\u2019s behavior or aggression.Find out why\u00a0It\u2019s Important to Have a Personal Injury Lawyer\u00a0handle your case.Get Informed About Your Legal OptionsIf you have been injured by someone\u2019s pet or they have caused damage to your property, you may be eligible for compensation. Find out what types of expenses may be covered in your case. Talk with a professional about your legal options and the best plan of recourse for you. Contact the experienced attorneys by calling\u00a0800-444-1967."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Ohio Laws Regarding Dog Bite Injuries","item":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/ohio-dog-bite-laws\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]