FRANKLIN FURNACE, OH — Another dog complaint is highlighting the difficult reality facing Scioto County’s already stressed animal control system — this time involving a reportedly abandoned dog that a resident was asked to hold overnight.
A Franklin Furnace woman called 911 after discovering a dog near her property that she believed had been abandoned.
According to dispatch notes, the dog had already attempted to attack her animals, prompting her to secure it inside a temporary kennel.
🚨 Dog Warden Delayed Until Morning
Dispatch contacted the dog warden, who advised they would pick up the dog first thing the next morning.
In the meantime, the caller was instructed to:
- Keep the dog secured overnight
- Provide food and water if possible
- Contact the sheriff’s office again if the dog became aggressive
The caller advised the dog did not appear aggressive toward adults, only toward other animals.
⚠️ Residents Increasingly Filling the Gap
The situation reflects a growing pattern across Scioto County:
Residents finding themselves temporarily caring for stray or abandoned dogs because animal control resources are stretched thin.
With:
- Shelter overcrowding
- Staffing shortages
- Increased calls under Avery’s Law
- And a recently hired new dog warden still stepping into the role
many non-emergency animal pickups are being delayed until staffing is available.
❗ A Difficult Position for Everyone
In cases like this, deputies and dispatchers often have limited immediate options — especially when:
- The dog isn’t actively attacking people
- Kennel space may be limited
- Or no warden is immediately available overnight
That can leave ordinary residents in an uncomfortable role:
Temporarily acting as the safety net for loose animals until help arrives.
And as complaints continue across the county, situations like this are becoming increasingly common.
