Ohio § 956.20

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 956.20, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 956.20.

(A) No owner, manager, or employee of a pet store shall negligently display, offer for

sale, deliver, barter, auction, broker, give away, transfer, or sell any live dog

from a pet store to a person unless the dog was obtained from one of the following

sources: (1) An animal rescue for dogs; (2) An animal shelter for dogs; (3) A humane society; (4) A dog broker, provided that, if the dog broker originally obtained the dog from a

breeder, the breeder is a qualified breeder; (5) A qualified breeder. (B) No owner, manager, or employee of a pet store shall negligently sell, deliver, barter,

auction, broker, give away, or transfer any of the following: (1) A dog that is less than eight weeks old; (2) A dog without a health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian; (3) A dog that does not have a permanent implanted identification microchip that is approved

for use by the director of agriculture under rules adopted under section 956.03 of the Revised Code ; (4) A dog to a person who is younger than eighteen years of age as verified by valid

photo identification; (5) A dog acquired from a qualified breeder or a dog broker unless the owner, manager,

or employee provides to the person acquiring the dog, at a time prior to the transaction

for the acquisition of the dog, a written certification that includes all of the following

information: (a) The name of the breeder that bred the dog; (b) The address, if available, of the breeder that bred the dog; (c) The United States department of agriculture license number of the breeder that bred

the dog, if applicable, and a copy of the most current United States department of

agriculture inspection report for the breeder; (d) The dog's birth date, if known; (e) The date that the pet store took possession of the dog; (f) The breed, gender, color, and any identifying marks of the dog; (g) A document signed by an accredited veterinarian that describes any known disease,

illness, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of

the dog at the time of examination; (h) A document signed by the owner, manager, or employee of the pet store certifying

that all information required to be provided to the person acquiring the dog under

division (B)(5) of this section is accurate.  A pet store shall keep a copy of the certification for a period of at least two

years from the date of the acquisition.  The owner, manager, or an employee of the pet store shall make the copy of the certification

available for inspection or duplication by the department of agriculture. (6) A dog acquired from a qualified breeder or a dog broker unless all of the following

information regarding the dog is available to the general public at the pet store: (a) The name of the breeder that bred the dog; (b) The address, if available, of the breeder that bred the dog; (c) The United States department of agriculture license number of the breeder that bred

the dog, if applicable; (d) The dog's birth date, if known; (e) The breed of the dog. (C) No owner, manager, or employee of a pet store shall recklessly alter or provide false

information on a certification provided in accordance with division (B)(5) of this

section.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 956.20

What does Ohio Revised Code § 956.20 cover?

Section 956.20 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Ohio § 956.20?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 956.20" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Ohio law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

How does Ohio § 956.20 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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