It started with a strange morning standoff: a Sciotoville resident trapped on his own porch by two large, aggressive dogs who refused to let him leave. He called 911 at 7:30 a.m., saying he was effectively held hostage outside his own front door.
Portsmouth officers quickly responded and called in Animal Control to deal with the unruly pups.
But the situation escalated.
By 11 a.m., another 911 call came in — this time from a woman who had been bitten by one of the same dogs. Police launched an investigation and learned the truth: a man had left his Great Dane–Pit Bull mix in the care of someone else, and the dog had been repeatedly getting loose and threatening people in the neighborhood.
To avoid further problems — and possible legal consequences — the person watching the dog signed the animal over to Animal Control.
⚠️ Know the Law: If You’re Watching a Dog, You’re Responsible
Whether it’s your dog or someone else’s, Ohio law holds you accountable if the animal is in your care:
- You’re legally responsible for keeping the dog contained and under control.
- If the dog bites someone, you could face fines, lawsuits, or worse.
- If the dog is deemed dangerous, you could lose your right to keep animals altogether.
Even if you’re just dog-sitting, that four-legged liability is yours until the owner returns.
🐶 Bottom Line
Good fences make good neighbors — especially when you’re watching a 120-pound pit-dane mix with a temper. If you’re taking in a friend’s pet, make sure you know what you’re getting into, and take every step to keep both the dog and your neighbors safe.
Because the last thing anyone wants is to start their day held hostage by a hound.
