SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — An outspoken Scioto County dog warden has resigned — and is leaving behind a storm of allegations about conditions inside the county shelter, workplace conflict, and possible retaliation tied to local politics.
Heather Stevens says she chose to step down before facing expected disciplinary action, but insists the situation goes far beyond a simple personnel issue.
“I have nothing to lose,” Stevens said after turning in her uniform.
⚖️ Resignation Comes Amid Discipline Threat
Stevens said she was scheduled to appear on the Scioto County Commissioners’ agenda for disciplinary action and expected to be suspended.
Instead, she said she cleaned out her truck, returned to the shelter, turned in her gear, and resigned.
She claims the discipline stemmed from accusations that she invited members of the public to the pound — something she denies.
Stevens also believes her attendance at a local political meet-and-greet played a role.
“I have been targeted for going to a candidate’s event,” she said, adding that she believes shelter leadership thought she was supporting someone who wanted changes at the facility.
🐕 Claims of Dangerous Conditions Inside the Shelter
Stevens painted a troubling picture of the Scioto County Dog Shelter, describing what she called serious structural and sanitation issues.
Among her claims:
- Roof leaks causing kennel flooding
- Broken kennels and visible cracks in the building
- Black mold inside the facility
- A severe mouse infestation
- Areas so bad, she says work-release inmates won’t volunteer there anymore
“That pound has been covered in hundreds and hundreds of mice… It’s that gross.”
She also said parvo outbreaks have hit the shelter, but claims there is no formal protocol in place.
“They said we have a parvo protocol — there’s no parvo protocol at the pound.”
⚠️ Staffing and Safety Concerns
Stevens also raised concerns about staffing and safety, saying there were multiple days with no dog warden on duty after her schedule was changed.
She further alleged she was:
- Sent on calls without a body camera
- Had her computer unplugged
- Had her relationships with local law enforcement questioned
💥 Allegations of Workplace Harassment
In one of the most serious claims, Stevens described a heated meeting with supervisors and another employee.
She alleges she was:
- Called a liar
- Yelled at and insulted
- Threatened with physical harm
- Subjected to a religious slur
“He called me a Jew (Stevens is not Jewish). He threatened to hit me… said I’d be in an orange jumpsuit.”
Stevens claims the behavior was not addressed by leadership.
📧 Dispute Over Email and “Protocol”
Another flashpoint involved an email about handling parvo cases.
Stevens said she forwarded information using a Gmail account she had been instructed to use for work documents, before she had an official county email.
She claims the situation escalated after the information was shared with a county commissioner, leading to disciplinary action.
❗ A Shelter Already Under Scrutiny
The resignation comes at a time when the Scioto County Dog Shelter is already facing intense public scrutiny over overcrowding and resources, especially with Avery’s Law now in effect, which is expected to increase enforcement and potentially bring more dogs into the system.
🔍 What Happens Next
So far, there has been no official response from county officials or shelter leadership addressing Stevens’ claims.
Her resignation — and the allegations that came with it — are likely to add fuel to ongoing concerns about:
- Shelter conditions
- Staffing and oversight
- How the county will handle increased pressure under Avery’s Law
For now, one thing is clear:
The spotlight on the Scioto County Dog Shelter just got a lot brighter. Stevens provided a series of pictures showing the conditions at the shelter.
