Dogs in Ohio, United States: rules, tax and travel
Ohio: Every dog more than 3 months old must be registered with the county auditor where it is kept, with applications due by 31 January (R.C. 955.02). Rabies and bite rules are in the details below.
Many dog rules in Ohio are set by counties, cities or towns, so check your local animal control.
The national rules for United States apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
No breed-specific rule found.
Registration and microchip
Every dog more than 3 months old must be registered with the county auditor where it is kept, for one year, three years or permanently, with applications due by 31 January (R.C. 955.02). Counties may charge more for unspayed or unneutered dogs over 9 months (R.C. 955.02) and raise fees (R.C. 955.14).[1]
Dog tax and licence
State base fee: 2 dollars a year (2 dollars for one year, 6 dollars for three years), or 20 dollars for a permanent registration. Counties may raise it.[1]
typical 2 USD, 2 to 20 USD a year
Leash and muzzle
Statewide, every dog must be kept confined or restrained on the owner's premises (by a leash, tether, adequate fence, supervision or secure enclosure) or kept under the reasonable control of a person, except non-dangerous dogs while lawfully hunting or in field trials (R.C. 955.21). Local ordinances may add rules (R.C. 955.10). During a rabies quarantine dogs can be ordered confined or leashed (R.C. 955.26).[2]
Other rules
No state rabies vaccination law found; a 1964 Attorney General opinion says a county auditor cannot require proof of rabies vaccination for registration absent a quarantine order.[3]
Dog bite liability: Strict liability with exceptions (R.C. 955.28).[4]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- animallaw.info/statute/oh-dog-chapter-955-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws (secondary source)
- animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-leash-laws (secondary source)
- animallaw.info/topic/table-rabies-vaccination-laws (secondary source)
- justia.com/injury/premises-liability/animal-dog-bites/dog-bite-law-50-state-survey (secondary source)