SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — As Scioto County continues adjusting to Avery’s Law and ongoing staffing challenges at the Dog Warden’s Office, deputies handled another series of dog-related calls ranging from livestock attacks to dog bites and property damage.
While one owner took responsibility for the actions of his dogs, deputies once again found themselves leaving voicemail messages for the dog warden in several other incidents.
🐔 Boxers Attack Six Chickens
Deputies were dispatched to Maywood Street in Lucasville after a homeowner reported two neighboring boxer dogs had gotten onto her property and attacked six of her chickens.
When deputies arrived, they found feathers scattered around the chicken coop. Fortunately, the owner said none of the birds had died, although all six had been injured and were in shock.
Deputies located the two boxer dogs sitting on a nearby front porch but were initially unable to contact their owner.
They requested the dog warden, who later responded and took the dogs into custody.
A few hours later, the dogs’ owner contacted the Sheriff’s Office, explaining that the electronic fence batteries had died, allowing the dogs to leave the yard.
He told deputies he was purchasing replacement batteries and retrieving the dogs from the shelter. He also said he intended to visit his neighbor and offer to pay for any damage caused to the chickens.
Deputies also noted the dogs were not wearing tags.
🚶 Walker Bit Along State Route 139
Later that morning, deputies responded to State Route 139 after a man reported being bitten while out walking.
The victim declined medical treatment and told deputies he did not know who owned the dog.
Deputies attempted to contact the dog warden but were unable to reach anyone and left a voicemail before trying to identify the dog’s owner.
🚚 Grocery Delivery Ends With Dog Bite
Another bite report came from State Route 522, where a grocery delivery driver said he was bitten while making a delivery.
The driver declined EMS treatment.
Deputies again attempted to reach the dog warden but were unsuccessful.
Information was gathered for a report as the investigation continued.
🚙 Dogs Damage Neighbor’s Truck
In Green Township, deputies investigated another unusual complaint after a resident reported neighboring dogs had attacked his truck and caused damage.
The incident was documented as deputies investigated the complaint.
⚖️ Avery’s Law Brings More Responsibility
These incidents come as Avery’s Law places greater responsibility on dog owners to properly confine their animals and strengthens penalties in certain dangerous dog cases.
The law was designed to improve accountability after attacks involving people and animals, but effective enforcement still depends on timely investigations by local animal control officials.
❗ A Familiar Pattern
The week’s calls once again illustrate two recurring themes.
First, dog-related complaints remain one of the Sheriff’s Office’s busiest categories of calls, ranging from attacks on livestock to bites involving pedestrians and delivery drivers.
Second, deputies repeatedly found themselves attempting to contact the Dog Warden’s Office without immediate success, documenting incidents while waiting for animal control follow-up.
One bright spot emerged from the Lucasville chicken attack.
Rather than denying responsibility, the owner acknowledged the fence failure, retrieved his dogs from the shelter, and offered to compensate his neighbor for the damage—a resolution deputies say they wish happened more often.
