Ohio Code § 955.28

Ohio Code § 955.28. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 955.28.

(A) Subject to divisions (A)(2) and (3) of section 955.261 of the Revised Code, a dog

that is chasing or approaching in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack,

that attempts to bite or otherwise endanger, or that kills or injures a person or

a dog that chases, threatens, harasses, injures, or kills livestock, poultry, other

domestic animal, or other animal, that is the property of another person, except a

cat or another dog, can be killed at the time of that chasing, threatening, harassment,

approaching, attempt, killing, or injury.  If, in attempting to kill such a dog, a person wounds it, the person is not liable

to prosecution under the penal laws that punish cruelty to animals.  Nothing in this section precludes a law enforcement officer from killing a dog that

attacks a police dog as defined in section 2921.321 of the Revised Code . (B) The owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death,

or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog, unless the injury, death,

or loss was caused to the person or property of an individual who, at the time, was

committing or attempting to commit criminal trespass or another criminal offense other

than a minor misdemeanor on the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer, or was

committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor

against any person, or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner's,

keeper's, or harborer's property.  Additionally, the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any

injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog if the injury,

death, or loss was caused to the person or property of an individual who, at the time

of the injury, death, or loss, was on the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer

solely for the purpose of engaging in door-to-door sales or other solicitations regardless

of whether the individual was in compliance with any requirement to obtain a permit

or license to engage in door-to-door sales or other solicitations established by the

political subdivision in which the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer is located,

provided that the person was not committing a criminal offense other than a minor

misdemeanor or was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 955.28
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 955.28?

The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 955.28 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Ohio Revised Code § 955.28 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Ohio law to your facts requires a licensed Ohio attorney who can review the specifics.