SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — As complaints about dangerous dogs continue and scrutiny of the county shelter intensifies, Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell is asking for patience — and offering a blunt reality check.
“We only have one dog warden… they’ll get there when they get there.”
The comment comes as the county deals with fallout from the recent resignation of Dog Warden Heather Stevens, ongoing concerns about shelter conditions, and a steady stream of calls involving loose and aggressive dogs.
🐕 One Warden, County-Wide Coverage
Right now, Powell says the biggest issue is simple:
There’s only one person doing the job.
“If you see delayed response times, that’s truly why. It’s not that they don’t want to come out and take care of issues.”
Powell explained that not just anyone can step in.
“They have to be sworn in, they have to be bonded, they have to be deemed a dog warden.”
Until a replacement is hired, the county is trying to piece together coverage as best it can.
📋 Hiring Underway
The county is actively working to fill the position left open by Stevens’ resignation.
Powell said officials are reviewing resumes now and have seen a strong response to the job posting.
“Hopefully we can make a decision relatively quick.”
⚠️ Overcrowding Isn’t Going Away
Even with staffing fixed, Powell says the shelter’s biggest issue won’t disappear overnight.
“We did increase capacity, but that just means you’re filling up more kennels and increasing costs.”
The county recently added 15 additional kennels, though critics argue those are temporary solutions — not long-term fixes.
Powell says the root problem is bigger than the building.
“That doesn’t fix issues if people are just letting dogs go or we have illegal breeding… I don’t have a great answer.”
He pointed to a statewide issue:
“A lot of the rescues are full.”
💡 The Real Solution?
According to Powell, the long-term fix starts with the public.
“Get your pets spayed and neutered.”
Until that happens, he says the cycle continues:
- More dogs getting loose
- More calls for service
- More animals entering an already full shelter
🧱 Shelter Issues Being Addressed
The shelter itself has also been under fire following reports of mold, leaks, and poor conditions.
Powell says those concerns are being handled.
“We’ve had maintenance out there working on things. I don’t have any concerns there.”
He confirmed that issues like the roof leak that contributed to mold are being addressed.
❗ A System Under Pressure
Between:
- One dog warden covering the county
- Overcrowded shelter conditions
- Public criticism and recent controversy
- More enforcement under Avery’s Law
Scioto County’s animal control system is clearly under strain.
And for residents waiting for help, Powell’s message is clear — even if it’s not comforting:
Help is coming… but it may not be fast.
