SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — After months of resignations, staffing problems, unanswered animal calls, and controversy at the Scioto County Dog Shelter, commissioners appear to be rethinking how the operation is run.
The county has posted a new opening for a Dog Warden/Director, combining responsibility for managing the entire Scioto County Dog Shelter with the law-enforcement and animal-control duties of a dog warden.
That’s a substantial job.
And it comes at a particularly interesting moment.
Commissioners recently announced they had temporarily appointed the current Shelter Director as a dog warden following yet another resignation, even though Commissioner Merit Smith acknowledged the director had not yet completed the state-required training for the position.
Now, rather than advertising for another dog warden alone, the county is advertising for someone to do both jobs.
Is the County Restructuring the Shelter?
The posting says the Dog Warden/Director will report directly to the Clerk for the Commissioners and the Commissioners.
As director, that person would essentially be responsible for the entire operation of the shelter, including supervising employees, developing policies, managing the budget, overseeing animal care, handling fundraising, recruiting volunteers, working with rescues and evaluating employees.
Then there is the other half of the job.
The same person would also serve as a working dog warden, responsible for enforcing Ohio dog laws and responding to calls throughout Scioto County.
Among the duties listed are investigating dog bites, seizing and impounding dogs, issuing citations, investigating livestock attacks, conducting door-to-door license checks and appearing in court.
The position also requires after-hours emergency coverage, including weekends and holidays.
A Lot of Hats for One Person
The posting illustrates just how much Scioto County expects from whoever takes the position.
The successful applicant could potentially spend part of the day preparing budgets and evaluating employees, then be called away to seize an aggressive dog, investigate a bite, testify in court, mow around the kennel and make sure the sidewalks are cleared when it snows.
The posting specifically says the director must know every position at the kennel well enough to step in and help when needed.
It also requires the person to oversee routine and medical care for animals, euthanasia when necessary, adoptions, facility maintenance, fundraising and public education.
That’s before getting to the actual dog warden calls.
Comes After a Revolving Door of Wardens
The restructuring comes during an extraordinary period of turnover.
Scioto County has lost three dog wardens since March, including two resignations within the same month.
Commissioners have acknowledged that low pay, intense public scrutiny and the difficult nature of the work have made retaining employees challenging.
The staffing problems haven’t been confined to the shelter.
SCDN has repeatedly reported on deputies attempting to contact dog wardens during bite investigations, aggressive dog complaints and attacks on other animals, only to leave messages or turn to other shelter personnel for assistance.
The problem has become even more significant with Avery’s Law now in effect and increased attention on how dangerous dog and bite cases are handled.
Sheriff’s Office Option Still on the Table
Commissioners have also confirmed they have spoken with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office about another possible solution: having the Sheriff’s Office take over dog warden responsibilities.
Smith previously said the Sheriff was investigating what such an arrangement would involve, though commissioners stressed no decision had been made.
The new combined position suggests the county is considering multiple ways to restructure animal control while trying to stabilize the shelter.
What Happens to the Current Director?
One significant question isn’t answered by the posting.
What does this mean for the current Scioto County Dog Shelter Director?
Commissioners have not announced that the current director is leaving.
It’s therefore unclear whether the county is seeking a replacement director, permanently combining two previously separate positions, or simply formalizing the arrangement commissioners recently announced in which the director would also serve as dog warden.
The posting itself lists the position as Dog Warden/Director, rather than advertising for a replacement dog warden to work underneath the existing director.
That’s a question commissioners will likely need to clarify.
From Shelter Controversy to Restructuring
The move comes after months of turmoil involving allegations about working conditions, mold and rodents, civil rights complaints, resignations, overcrowding, staffing shortages and questions about animal-control response times.
At the same time, there have been signs of progress.
Commissioners recently entered into an agreement with Scioto Hounds, the new nonprofit that has already helped secure vaccines, thousands of pounds of dog food and other assistance for the shelter. The group is also working on ventilation and cooling improvements.
Commissioners have repeatedly said they believe the shelter is moving in the right direction despite what they describe as “growing pains.”
Now, it appears they may be looking at the organizational chart as part of that overhaul.
Because after months of trying to keep both the shelter and the Dog Warden’s Office staffed, Scioto County’s newest solution may be simple on paper:
Find one person willing to run the shelter—and be the dog warden, too.