The ongoing strain on Scioto County’s animal control system was felt yet again this week after a dog was found locked in a truck for more than two hours at the PMHA Apartments on 11th Street.
Police were called to the scene after concerned residents reported the dog sitting in a blue pickup, unattended and at risk. When officers arrived, they tracked down the vehicle’s owner, who explained the situation was more complicated than it looked.
The woman told officers the dog belongs to her boyfriend, who had recently lost his housing. In an effort to comply with Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) rules on pet restrictions, the couple had been keeping the dog outside or in the vehicle to avoid violating their lease.
A Difficult Decision
The boyfriend told officers he may have no choice but to surrender the dog, given his current housing and financial challenges. Officers provided information about how to safely surrender the pet through proper channels and advised the couple to bring the dog inside temporarily for its safety while they explore solutions.
No charges were filed, but the situation underscores the heartbreaking choices many pet owners face during housing instability.
Part of a Bigger Problem
This incident adds to the growing list of cases highlighting Scioto County’s ongoing animal control crisis, including:
- Dogs being dumped on back roads and in parking lots
- Reports of starvation and neglect in rural areas
- Emergency shelter overflow, with temporary kennels being used for animals with nowhere to go
- Law enforcement delays when responding to dog-related incidents due to limited staffing and shelter space
When Housing and Pet Rules Collide
Officials say these situations — where pets fall through the cracks due to housing restrictions — are becoming increasingly common, especially as affordable housing grows scarce.
PMHA and other housing agencies often limit the number or size of pets allowed per unit, leaving low-income or displaced residents with few options when they’re trying to keep a beloved animal.
Without proper support, these animals risk ending up:
- Chained up, locked in vehicles, or abandoned
- Picked up as strays with no tags or microchips
- Or, tragically, euthanized when shelters run out of room
What You Can Do
- Know your housing pet policy before bringing in a pet
- Never leave pets unattended in vehicles, especially during warm weather
- License and tag your dogs — it’s the law and helps shelters reconnect pets with owners
- Support local shelters through fostering, adoption, or donations
- If you’re struggling to care for a pet, reach out before it becomes an emergency
In a county where the shelter system is already overwhelmed, each pet at risk adds to the pressure. This case serves as a reminder that compassion alone isn’t always enough — and that real solutions require resources, support, and community action.
