A late-afternoon call to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office turned into a shouting match — between a shirtless stranger and a couple of protective pups.
Around 4:30 p.m., a Stout resident told deputies that a man in a white truck had threatened to kill their dogs and was now pacing their property yelling at them. By the time deputies arrived, about 30 minutes later, they found the man and detained him.
His side of the story? His truck had broken down, and when he wandered onto the property to ask for help, the dogs charged him. He yelled back — at the dogs — and the situation quickly went south. The dog owners wanted charges filed, but deputies decided there wasn’t enough evidence. The man was told to steer clear of the property from now on.
💡 If You Break Down and Need to Approach Strangers for Help:
- 🚗 Stay with your vehicle if possible — it’s safer and easier for help to find you.
- 📱 Use your phone first — call roadside assistance, a friend, or even 911 if you feel unsafe.
- 🚶 If you must walk to a home, stay on the driveway or sidewalk. Don’t wander into yards.
- 🐕 Watch for dogs — call out from a safe distance before getting close.
- 🗣 Be polite and calm — a friendly introduction goes a long way toward avoiding misunderstandings.
This one ended without charges, but it’s a good reminder: sometimes the shortest route to help isn’t always the safest.
