PORTSMOUTH, OH — A late-night complaint on Woodland Avenue is highlighting exactly the kind of situation Avery’s Law was designed to address: dogs repeatedly running loose, frightening neighbors, and allegedly attacking animals.
Portsmouth Police were called around 11:35 p.m. after a resident reported two husky dogs had been roaming the neighborhood all day.
According to the caller, the dogs have become a frequent problem in the area.
The resident told officers the dogs had:
- Knocked over a small child
- Killed a neighborhood cat
- Continued running loose throughout the neighborhood
The caller identified the dogs as belonging to a home on Woodland Avenue.
🚪 No Answer at the Home
Officers attempted to contact the residents at the address but received no answer at the door.
According to the report, officers noted the male resident at the home reportedly has active arrest warrants, which may explain why no one responded.
Police documented the complaint and said the information would be forwarded to animal control.
The caller was also advised to contact animal control again if the dogs were seen running loose in the future.
⚖️ Avery’s Law Changes the Conversation
Under Ohio’s newly enacted Avery’s Law, situations involving dogs repeatedly escaping, threatening people, or killing pets can carry much more serious consequences for owners.
The law strengthens enforcement in cases involving:
- Aggressive or dangerous dogs
- Repeat leash or confinement violations
- Attacks on people or animals
In some cases, authorities now have greater ability to:
- Seek dangerous dog designations
- Seize animals
- Pursue criminal charges against owners
❗ A Familiar Problem Across the Area
Calls like this have become increasingly common across Scioto County, even as the local animal control system struggles with:
- Shelter overcrowding
- Staffing shortages
- Increased demands under Avery’s Law
For neighbors dealing with loose dogs, frustration is growing.
And with Avery’s Law now in effect, residents are beginning to ask whether repeated incidents like these will finally bring tougher consequences for owners who fail to control their animals.