As Scioto County’s dog crisis deepens, local leaders are exploring new ways to respond faster to cases of abuse and neglect — but concerns over payroll and overtime could slow things down.
At Thursday’s County Commission meeting, Commissioner Bryan Davis raised the possibility of allowing one of the county’s dog wardens to also serve as a humane agent — someone legally authorized to investigate and intervene in cases of animal cruelty.
“We are being inundated with dogs,” Davis said. “People are keeping 5, 7, 10 or more dogs in homes — often untagged, starving, without water, and in some tragic cases, already dead.
🐕 Humane Agent vs. Dog Warden: What’s the Difference?
While dog wardens enforce laws related to licensing, strays, and containment, humane agents are empowered under Ohio law to:
- Investigate abuse, neglect, and cruelty
- Rescue animals from dangerous or inhumane situations
- Work with owners to improve conditions
Currently, Scioto County has just one humane agent.
Davis noted a recent West Portsmouth case where law enforcement and the dog warden had to wait three hours for the humane agent to arrive.
“That’s not her fault. She was already on another case,” he said. “But the shelter is overrun. We have temp kennels to handle the overflow. The need is real.”
⚖️ One Warden Already Qualified — But Concerns Remain
According to Davis, one dog warden has already passed the humane agent exam and is willing to take on the added role.
But the proposal isn’t without complications:
- The appointment must be approved by Judge Rebecca Bennett
- Commissioners worry about overtime costs if the warden is called out after hours or on weekends
- There’s also concern about “double comp time” if two wardens end up responding to the same incident
“We just want to make sure we’re not doubling up costs,” Davis said.
“The sad reality is, the taxpayer is already carrying the financial burden because of the rise in puppy mills, illegal kennels, and even some connections to the opioid epidemic. Some people keep dogs just for security.”
💬 Mixed Reactions from Commissioners
Commissioner Scottie Powell agreed that there’s value in allowing the warden to help but stressed the need to monitor how callouts are classified:
“It’s about tracking what’s a dog warden call and what’s a humane agent call. It’s not about whether the person is qualified. It takes a special kind of person to do that job.”
Commissioner Merit Smith said the idea was worth looking into, but “wasn’t sure where we need to go with it yet.”
📋 What’s Next?
- Davis said the County Prosecutor’s Office gave a green light for the plan under Ohio law.
- He’ll check if a formal resolution is required.
- Final approval of the humane agent status lies with Judge Bennett.
- The Commission is expected to continue the discussion, especially around budget guidelines and response logistics.
🐾 Bigger Picture: A County Under Pressure
This debate highlights a larger issue: Scioto County’s shelter system is overwhelmed.
With a full kennel, temporary crates filling up, and calls pouring in about abuse, neglect, and strays, officials are looking for creative solutions — fast.
“Anything we can do to quicken the response time and get these animals to safety, or fix the situation in the home, is worth exploring,” Davis said.
Stay tuned as the county weighs compassion against cost in the middle of an unfolding animal welfare crisis.
