Columbus, OH – Ohio, a state once known for its stringent breed-specific legislation, especially against pit bulls, is undergoing a significant shift in its approach to handling ‘dangerous’ dog breeds. This change reflects a growing understanding that breed alone is not a reliable indicator of a dog’s potential for aggression or danger.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) reports that in response to a Supreme Court decision, Ohio legislators Kathy Walcher and Shawn Webster are sponsoring HB189, a bill aimed at overhauling the state’s dangerous dog laws. A key aspect of this bill is the repeal of breed-specific provisions, particularly those targeting pit bulls, labeling them as vicious dogs.
Further supporting this shift, changes to the state’s vicious dog law, which took effect in 2012, have stopped categorizing dogs as vicious based on breed. Instead, the law now classifies dogs into three categories: nuisance, dangerous, and vicious, based on their behavior. This represents a significant move away from breed-specific language and towards a more behavior-oriented approach.