Animal Control

Bexley is full of animal lovers and has an active population of pet owners. However, Bexley law requires (Chapter 618 of Bexley City Code) that dog owners keep their dogs on leash at all times while walking. Also, dog owners are prohibited from allowing their dogs to run at large upon public property or on others' property. Please pick up after your dog while walking. Please note that no dogs are permitted at Bexley parks, including Jeffrey Mansion.

If you have questions, please email Animal Control Officer Jennings at ajennings@bexley.org.

According to Bexley Code § 618.15, no person shall permit a dog to go or be upon any part of Jeffrey Park or Commonwealth Park, except a dog accompanying a blind, deaf or mobility impaired person and displaying a registration tag issued pursuant to Ohio R.C. § 955.011.

If you have questions, please email Animal Control Officer Jennings at ajennings@bexley.org.

Registration Requirements:

1. The owner must register the animal within 7 days of taking ownership of a Pit Bull Terrier as defined by Bexley Code § 618.16(a)(5)(C).
2. Registration fee is $45.00, due upon registration. To register a pit bull in Bexley, please email ACO Amy Jennings to coordinate.
3. Temporary registration, pending successful completion of all requirements within this policy, shall be provided for up to 180 days in the case of an animal who is older than 6 months of age at the time of registration, or for up to 1 year for animals who are younger than 6 months at the time of registration.
4. Owners must provide proof of liability insurance coverage for canine‐inflicted injuries at the time of registration.

Behavioral Certification Requirements:

1. In order to be provided with temporary registration, the animal must be satisfactorily adjudicated by the Bexley Animal Control Officer.
2. In order to be provided with permanent registration, the animal must successfully complete the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
3. In order to maintain permanent registration, the animal must continue to successfully complete the AKC Good Citizen test on an annual basis until 4 years of age.
4. In the event that the animal does not successfully complete the AKC Good Citizen Test, the Bexley Animal Control Officer will evaluate the animal and determine if the animal should retake the test, or if an alternate test may be provided.

Spay/Neuter Requirements:

1. All animals must be spayed or neutered by 18 months of age.

Enclosure/Restraint Requirements:

1. Animals may not be off-leash at any time, including on the homeowner’s premises, unless the animal is physically confined by an adequate fence or enclosure.
2. For the purposes of this requirement, an invisible fence is not considered to be an adequate fence or enclosure.

Display of Registration Tags:

1. At the time of registration, the animal will be provided with City of Bexley registration tags which must be worn prominently on a collar at all times.

Limitation on Pit Bull Terriers per Household:

1. Only one Pit Bull Terrier is allowed per household.

If you have questions, please email Animal Control Officer Jennings at ajennings@bexley.org.

Due to a suspected increase in skunk encounters in Bexley, the City of Bexley is collecting data on skunk sightings in order to help us better understand where sightings are occurring and to help us explore a treatment plan. Skunks are a nuisance in neighborhood settings due to their spraying of people and other animals, and can serve as a carrier of rabies and other diseases.

If you've had a skunk sighting or encounter in Bexley, please take a moment to fill out this form.

Ohio law requires dogs to have a valid dog license. Many dogs are found each year wearing a valid dog license, but the address or phone number on record is outdated. In order to aid in the return of dogs to their owners, the Franklin County Auditor's office provides a found dog search feature. It is important to keep your owner information current by renewing your license, updating your owner information, or by licensing a new dog.

What information do I need to license my dog?

1. Owner information: name, address, phone number, valid e-mail address
2. The dog's current rabies tag number (if dog is 3 months of age or younger, a rabies vaccine is not required for the purchase of a license)
3. Credit or debit card information

To purchase or renew a dog license in Franklin County, please click here to be redirected to the Auditor's website. 

Bexley Animal Control promotes and protects the health and safety of our residents and the animals in our community. The Bexley Animal Control Facebook Page is created as one resource for reporting and finding lost pets.