Perry County Tribune:
What Every Perry County Dog Owner Should Know
This article, written by Ben Carpenter, was first published in The Perry County Tribune on October 24, 2017.
The Perry County dog shelter has a new Dog Warden that is doing a great job for the people of Perry County. The dogs at the Perry County dog shelter make great adopted pets. I often get numerous questions about dogs and owner responsibility. For any detailed questions please call the Dog Shelter at 740-342-3795. However the following are some of the laws and requirements for dogs in Ohio.
Every dog over three months of age must be licensed. A dog’s registration tag should be displayed and worn by the dog at all times. Dogs should always be confined to their owner’s property or under the control of their owner unless they are engaged in hunting and accompanied by their owner.
NUISANCE, DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS DOGS
A “nuisance” dog is one which, without provocation and while off the premises of its owner, has chased or approached a person in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack, of has attempted to bite or endanger any person. The owner of a nuisance dog has no additional obligations, but will be subject to harsher penalties for non-confinement.
A “dangerous” dog is any dog which has caused injury, other than killing or serious injury to any person; killed another dog; of has been the subject of three violations. Owners of dangerous dogs are required to maintain certain enclosures and obey leash requirements, as well as required to notify the local dog warden immediately if the dog: is loose or unconfined, bites a person or attacks another animal.
A “vicious” dog is one which has killed, or caused serious injury to a person without provocation. A vicious dog which caused a person’s death will be ordered humanely destroyed by a court and the owner charged with a fourth degree felony.
A vicious dog does not include one which has caused the death or serious injury to a person committing or attempting to commit a criminal offence on the property of the dog’s owner.
DOGS AND LIVESTOCK
A landowner has the right to kill any dog which is in the act of chasing, threatening, harassing, or attempting to or actually injuring or killing any persons, livestock, poultry, or other domestic animal. In this circumstance the landowner will not be criminally liable for killing or injuring the dog.
Part of the registration fees paid by dog owners with a county and any fines levied in connection with dog laws are deposited in the Dog and Kennel Fund. This money is used to help pay for injuries or loss of livestock, poultry or domestic rabbits that are harmed by trespassing dogs.
These are just a few facts that are part of the laws associated with dog ownership. The Ohio Farm Bureau puts out an excellent publication called “Ohio’s Dog Laws” Much of this information came from that publication.
The bottom line is dog ownership requires responsibility on behalf of the dog owner. A dog is a living creature and under the owners care. All dogs should be cared for and treated humanely and with the respect any living creature deserves. Throughout my life I have owned several great dogs, and just recently, we lost our dog of over sixteen years. They all hold a special place. As a dog owner it is important to know the laws and accept your responsibility as a care giver for your dog. Please contact our Perry County dog warden Kerrie Taylor 740-342-3795, with any questions about adopting a dog or dog laws.
