The Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) sends this double-reminder regarding our four-legged friends. National Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 20-26, which is also the week when the state’s new "vicious dog" law becomes effective. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims paid out in 2011, costing nearly $479 million. Under Ohio Sub. HB 14 — effective May 22 — pit bulls will no longer be considered vicious dogs solely on their breed and the law eliminates the mandatory liability insurance requirement for dog owners.