Judge: Ohio Dog Accused of Biting Not ‘Dangerous’

A judge has sided with a central Ohio dog owner who argued her small, white bichon frise shouldn’t be labeled as a “dangerous” dog under a new Ohio law.

The law opened the door for dogs other than pit bulls to be deemed dangerous for certain actions, including causing minor injuries to people.

Authorities had told Shannon Mills that her dog, named Hershey, would be labeled dangerous and require extra insurance after a 12-year-old boy reported he was bitten on the ankle while walking near Pataskala.

Mills took the case to court, and a judge ruled Monday that animal control workers didn’t prove Hershey meets the standard for a dangerous dog.

Mills told reporters she doesn’t believe the law was intended for cases like hers.