SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — Just as Scioto County appeared to be turning the page on months of controversy surrounding its dog shelter, another unexpected development has emerged.
Scioto County Dog Warden Olivia Phipps, who was sworn into office just weeks ago following the resignation of former Dog Warden Heather Stevens, is now facing charges of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) and speeding, according to Portsmouth Municipal Court records.
Court records indicate the alleged offenses occurred on June 19, with records stating Phipps was traveling 44 mph in a 35 mph zone.
She appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court on June 22, where she was released on her own recognizance. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for August 4.
The court also ordered Phipps to report for fingerprinting within 24 hours.
Unlike most weekend arrests, Phipps’ booking photo was not included among the jail photographs released to local media.
🚔 Potential Impact on Dog Warden Duties
Beyond the criminal case itself, the charges could create operational challenges for the already-strained Dog Warden’s Office.
Under county policy, employees arrested for OVI generally are not permitted to operate county vehicles while their case is pending.
For most county employees that may be an inconvenience.
For a dog warden, it could directly affect the ability to perform one of the job’s primary responsibilities.
Dog wardens routinely respond throughout the county to:
- Dog bite investigations
- Loose and aggressive dog complaints
- Animal seizures
- Livestock attacks
- Picking up stray and abandoned dogs
Each of those duties typically requires the use of a county vehicle specially equipped to transport animals.
🐕 Comes Amid Ongoing Response Concerns
The timing is significant.
In recent weeks, SCDN has reported on numerous incidents in which deputies attempted to contact the dog warden during emergencies involving:
- Dog bites
- Aggressive dogs
- Loose dogs
- Injured animals
In several of those cases, deputies were unable to immediately reach a dog warden and instead documented the incidents while residents were instructed to follow up later.
Those calls have fueled ongoing public discussion about staffing levels and response times at the shelter, particularly as Avery’s Law has increased expectations for dangerous dog investigations and enforcement.
⚖️ Another Chapter in a Difficult Year
The Dog Warden’s Office has faced an extraordinary amount of scrutiny over the past several months.
Since spring, the department has been at the center of controversy involving:
- The resignation of the previous dog warden;
- Allegations of workplace misconduct and discrimination;
- Mold, maintenance, and rodent complaints at the shelter;
- Staffing shortages;
- Questions about response times to dog-related emergencies; and
- The ongoing implementation of Avery’s Law.
Now, the office faces yet another challenge as officials determine whether the pending OVI case will affect day-to-day operations.
As of Thursday, county officials had not publicly commented on whether Phipps remains on active duty or whether any work restrictions have been placed on her while the case proceeds through Portsmouth Municipal Court.
