Ohio dog liability and insurance: what to ask before you buy

Under Ohio Revised Code 955.28, the person who owns, keeps or harbors a dog is liable in damages for injury or loss it causes, subject to the exceptions in the section. Coverage that sits behind that exposure deserves a phone call.

A law-firm summary of Avery's Law says that Ohio now requires at least $100,000 in liability insurance, from an insurer authorized in the state, for dogs formally designated dangerous or vicious. The summary gives an effective date of March 18, 2026, and says the designation depends on conduct, not breed.

A protection dog is not designated dangerous merely by being a protection dog. Still, a bite incident could lead to a designation, so keep the insurance question in view.

NerdWallet guide to dog bites and homeowners insurance explains how dog bites can interact with a standard policy and why some insurers ask about breeds. Policies differ, so the useful step is to call your agent, name the breed and ask how it is handled.

• Ask whether the policy limits or excludes certain breeds.
• Ask what the liability limit is and whether an umbrella policy is wise.
• Ask for the answer in writing.

Landlords write their own pet rules. Get permission for a large dog in the lease, not in a text message, and ask whether the building requires renter's liability coverage.