Josh Williams | The Ohio House of Representatives
Josh Williams | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Representative Josh Williams, a Republican from Sylvania Township, has cast his vote in favor of House Bill 247, commonly referred to as "Avery's Law." This legislation aims to introduce new regulations for owners of vicious dogs to curb dog attacks.
“With the increase in violent dog attacks we’ve seen recently across the state, H.B. 247 is necessary to provide a safe, fair process for law enforcement to address these instances,” stated Rep. Williams.
The bill includes several key measures:
- It imposes criminal penalties on dog owners who negligently fail to prevent their dogs from launching unprovoked attacks.
- Local dog wardens are granted the authority to seize a dog immediately following an attack.
- The bill revises investigation and enforcement protocols when authorities receive complaints indicating potential violations of the Dog Law.
- It offers protections for dogs acting in self-defense or defending their owners or property.
- After due process, it mandates euthanasia for dogs that kill or seriously injure a person.
House Bill 247 is named in honor of Avery Russell, who was severely injured during a dog attack in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, in June 2024 at the age of 11.
The bill will now proceed to the Senate for further deliberation.
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