PORTSMOUTH, OH — A Wayne Hills mother is speaking out — and demanding action — after her child was bitten by a neighbor’s dog, saying the animal is still in the neighborhood and nothing has changed.
“Easter Sunday my child was bitten by a dog… he had to have a series of rabies vaccines,” she wrote online. “Less than 24 hours later, that dog still lives there.”
The mother says the attack is just the latest in a series of incidents involving aggressive dogs in the area — and she’s had enough.
🐕 From Bite to Bloodshed
According to the woman, the situation escalated again just days later.
She says a cat was mauled to death, with the attack starting on her porch and ending at a neighbor’s — while the dog’s owner allegedly watched.
“Thursday was spent cleaning the blood and hair from my porch and fence while the dog stayed comfortably at home,” she said.
She also mentioned the incident earlier in the spring where a cooler containing dead cats was found nearby on Kendall Avenue.
⚠️ “Nobody Wants to Be Held Accountable”
When speaking further, the mother said this isn’t an isolated incident — it’s part of a larger, ongoing problem.
“This is twice in less than 30 days I’ve had police at my house for a vicious dog — and it’s not even the same dog. It’s always a new one.”
She says enforcement is inconsistent and accountability is lacking.
“Nobody wants to be held accountable.”
According to her, the owner of the dog that mauled that cat had even admitted the animal had killed before, but she says police allowed the owner to keep the dog.
🗣️ Dog Owner Pushes Back
After the story gained attention, a woman who says she owns the dog involved contacted SCDN to dispute parts of the account.
She claims her dog was secured on a lead in her yard at the time of the incident and alleges the child entered her property without supervision.
She also says she is filing a police report, accusing the mother of posting her address online and inciting harassment.
“I have already spoken to the dog warden and PMHA and I am following all the steps to take care of things on my end,” she said, adding that it is “not true that nothing is being done.”
🏠 Bigger Issues in the Neighborhood
Several sources tell SCDN the situation may reflect broader issues within the housing complex, including alleged violations of Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority rules.
Those policies generally limit residents to smaller dogs and require proper licensing, but multiple sources claim enforcement has been inconsistent.
⚖️ A System Already Under Pressure
The case comes as Scioto County’s animal control system is under intense scrutiny, dealing with:
- Overcrowded shelter conditions
- Staffing shortages
- Fallout from the recent dog warden resignation
- Increased enforcement under Avery’s Law
Despite stronger laws on the books, residents like this Wayne Hills mother say they’re not seeing results on the ground.
❗ A Community Divided
With conflicting accounts, rising tensions, and repeated incidents, this case underscores a deeper issue:
A community struggling to deal with dangerous dogs — and divided over who’s responsible.
As both sides prepare to take further action, one question remains:
Who will be held accountable — and when?
