SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — Deputies handled two more animal-related calls this week, including a pit bull attack that left another dog badly injured and a separate complaint about dogs allegedly left alone for days.
The incidents come as Scioto County continues to deal with animal control staffing issues, shelter overcrowding, and increased public attention on dog enforcement.
🚨 Pit Bull Reportedly Rips Up Dog’s Face
Just after 9:30 p.m., a call came into 911 reporting that a pit bull attacked another dog on Woodland Avenue, badly injuring it.
The caller said the loose dog had ripped up the victim dog’s face.
Dispatch contacted the dog warden, who advised he was speaking with the shelter director and would respond shortly.
By 10:15 p.m., a deputy had already secured the loose dog in the back of a cruiser while waiting for the dog warden to arrive.
Authorities later determined there was not enough information to complete a formal report, and the dog warden advised the owners of the injured dog to call back if they were able to identify the owner of the attacking pit bull.
🏚️ Dogs Left Alone? Deputies Find No Evidence
Deputies were also called to Lucasville after a resident reported several dogs had been left unattended in a trailer across the road for several days.
When deputies arrived, they found a note on the front door listing names and a phone number.
They attempted to call the number and left a message requesting a return call.
Deputies also:
- Knocked multiple times
- Checked the property
- Looked for visible dogs inside or outside
- Listened for barking
According to the report, no dogs were seen or heard, and the complaint was determined to be unfounded.
⚠️ A Familiar Pattern
These two calls show the range of complaints law enforcement continues to face:
- Violent dog attacks
- Loose animals with unknown owners
- Welfare concerns involving pets
- Calls requiring deputies while animal control resources are stretched
🧭 Bigger Questions Remain
With Avery’s Law now in effect, residents expect stronger enforcement when dogs injure people or animals.
But cases involving:
- Unknown owners
- Limited evidence
- Short staffing
- Overcrowded shelter space
can still leave victims frustrated and deputies trying to fill the gap.
For many residents, the message is clear:
The dog problems haven’t slowed down — even if the system is struggling to keep up.