Cleveland Updates Rules for Nuisance and Dangerous Dogs
Cleveland is updating how the city manages dogs that may pose a threat to public safety to ensure local rules align with new state laws. Under File No. 605-2026, the City Council has passed an emergency ordinance to repeal the existing Chapter 604 of the Codified Ordinances and replace it with a new framework for managing nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dogs.
What's in the file
The new ordinance establishes a process to resolve an operational gap created by "Avery's Law" (House Bill 247), which shifted the authority to formally designate a dog as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious to the county dog warden. According to the 605-2026-Legislative Summary-Dangerous Dogs, the new chapter allows Cleveland Animal Control Officers to collect evidence and refer it to the Cuyahoga County Dog Warden for investigation.
Key provisions include:
- Information Submission: Animal Control Officers must submit qualifying information to the Cuyahoga County Dog Warden within 30 days of receipt.
- Owner Notification: Dog owners must receive written notice at the same time or shortly after information is sent to the county.
- Interim Safety Measures: During a pending investigation, owners must follow specific restraint rules, including using a secure enclosure on the premises or a leash not exceeding six feet with a humane muzzle when off-premises.
- Seizure Authority: Animal Control Officers may seize a dog if they have probable cause to believe it has committed a dangerous act and the circumstances make continued possession unsafe, or if the act resulted in death or serious injury.
- Penalties: Violations of interim confinement requirements are classified as a minor misdemeanor for a first offense.
Who may be affected
- Dog owners: Must comply with new interim confinement, restraint, and notification procedures.
- Division of Animal Care and Control: Responsible for collecting evidence, notifying owners, and exercising seizure authority.
- Cuyahoga County Dog Warden: Receives referrals for formal investigation and legal designation of dogs.
Status and timeline
The ordinance is an emergency measure that has officially passed.
- 2026-05-07: The ordinance was introduced to City Council.
- June 12, 2026: The final version was recorded in the City Record.
Residents can verify the details of these new regulations by reviewing the official source record.
Source record
- File
- 605-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- May 6, 2026
Official documents
- 605-2026-Repeal Chpt 604 and enact new Chapter 604 Dogs nuisance dangerous
- 605-2026-Legislative Summary-Dangerous Dogs
- 605-2026 Amend 605-2026
- 605-2026-as amended-desk copy-Final
- 605-2026 FINAL VERSION-CITY RECORD JUNE 12, 2026 PG. 33