Dog Bite Injuries in Cleveland: What Ohio's New Avery's Law Means for Victims in 2026

Written by

Elizabeth FitzGerald, Esq.

Trial Attorney, Ryan Injury Attorneys

Summer in Northeast Ohio means more time outdoors, and more dogs out with their families. Cleveland neighborhoods from Tremont to Ohio City fill with people walking their pets, backyard cookouts, and children playing at Edgewater and Rocky River Reservation. That activity is one of the joys of the season, but it also brings a rise in dog bite injuries. Ohio consistently ranks among the states with the most reported dog bites, and Cleveland ranks high among individual cities. If a dog has hurt you or your child, you have real rights under Ohio law, and those rights grew stronger in 2026.

As a trial attorney at Ryan Injury Attorneys, I have seen how a single bite can change a family's summer, especially when a child's face or hands are injured. This guide explains how Ohio holds dog owners accountable, what the new Avery's Law changed, and the steps that protect your claim.

Ohio Is a Strict Liability State: R.C. 955.28

Ohio does not follow the old common-law idea that every dog gets one free bite. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28(B), the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is strictly liable for injury the dog causes to a person or property. In plain terms, you generally do not have to prove that the owner was careless or that the dog had a history of aggression. If the dog bit you and you were not provoking it or trespassing, the responsible party is on the hook for your losses.

This strict liability rule is powerful for injured people. It covers more than bites. It reaches injuries a dog causes by knocking someone down, chasing a cyclist into traffic, or lunging at a child. The law also spreads responsibility beyond the registered owner to anyone who keeps or harbors the animal, which can include a person watching the dog or, in some situations, a landlord who controls the property where the dog lives.

What Avery's Law Changed in 2026

On December 18, 2025, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 247, known as Avery's Law, and its main provisions took effect March 18, 2026. The law is named for Avery Russell, a young girl from Reynoldsburg who was severely injured in a 2024 attack. It represents the most significant update to Ohio's dangerous dog rules in years, and Cleveland families should understand what it does.

Avery's Law created a behavior-based, three tier classification of nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dogs. Under the new framework, a prior bite is no longer the threshold for a dangerous designation; a dog's conduct alone can support the label. The law also gives county dog wardens, including those in Cuyahoga County, authority to seize a dog immediately after an unprovoked attack that causes serious injury, rather than waiting for a court order in every case. It sets clear court procedures before a dog can be euthanized, and it requires owners of designated dangerous or vicious dogs to carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance.

That insurance requirement matters to victims. Compensation in dog bite cases almost always comes from an insurance policy rather than an owner's personal bank account. A mandatory coverage floor for designated dogs means a better chance that funds exist to pay for a serious injury. Importantly, Avery's Law strengthens public safety enforcement, but it does not replace your civil right to recover under R.C. 955.28. The two work side by side.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Cleveland

What you do in the hours and days after an attack can protect both your health and your claim. The timeline below shows the sequence I walk clients through.

First, get medical care. Dog bites carry a high infection risk, and puncture wounds that look small can involve deep tissue damage. University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic, and MetroHealth emergency departments treat bite injuries regularly, and the medical record they create becomes important evidence. Second, report the bite. In Cuyahoga County, animal bites should be reported so the county can track the dog and confirm its rabies status. Third, identify the owner and the dog, and gather names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Fourth, photograph your injuries, torn clothing, and the location. Fifth, talk to a lawyer before the deadline runs.

Deadlines Are Strict: Do Not Wait

Ohio gives most injury victims two years to file a lawsuit under R.C. 2305.10. Miss that window and a court can dismiss even a strong case. There is an important exception for children. Under R.C. 2305.16, the two year clock is generally paused, or tolled, until an injured minor turns 18. Even so, waiting is risky. Evidence disappears, witnesses move, and the dog's history becomes harder to trace. Early action lets your attorney preserve proof while it is fresh.

Two Paths to Recovery, and Full Compensation

Ohio victims often have two paths. The statutory claim under R.C. 955.28 provides strict liability for your economic and noneconomic losses. A separate common-law claim can be brought when the owner knew the dog was dangerous and did nothing, and this path can open the door to punitive damages in the right case. A skilled lawyer often pursues both to maximize recovery.

Compensation can include emergency and follow-up medical bills, reconstructive or plastic surgery, scar revision, lost wages for time away from work, and money for pain, disfigurement, and the emotional toll of an attack. Children who suffer facial scarring or who develop a lasting fear of dogs may be entitled to significant compensation for the long-term effects. When an attack causes catastrophic harm, such as a serious head injury from a fall, our Cleveland brain injury lawyers can help evaluate the full scope of the loss.

How a Cleveland Dog Bite Lawyer Helps

Insurance adjusters often move quickly to settle bite claims for less than they are worth, sometimes before the victim knows whether a scar will be permanent. Our team investigates the dog's history, identifies every responsible owner, keeper, or harborer, documents your injuries with medical support, and handles the insurer so you can focus on healing. You can learn more about our approach and my background on my attorney profile, or read about how we handle these cases on our Cleveland dog bite lawyers page.