It started with dead chickens and torn-up coops — and ended with a familiar explanation deputies hear again and again in rural parts of the county.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was called after a property owner discovered dogs had gotten into her chicken coops, killing several chickens and damaging both enclosures. The dogs were gone by the time deputies arrived.
The woman told deputies she had received a call from a neighbor who reported two large black dogs on her property, believed to be German shepherds. When she went outside, the dogs had already left, but five chickens were dead and the coops showed signs of being torn open. She said she did not recognize the dogs and believed they may have been strays.
In a separate call later that day, deputies responded to another report involving repeated animal attacks. A property owner reported that three medium-to-large dogs belonging to a nearby neighbor had been running loose for months, killing multiple chickens, two goats, and several outdoor cats. She also reported the dogs had torn into trash, come onto her porch, and previously attempted to get into her home.
She told deputies she had contacted the dog owner multiple times asking him to keep the dogs contained and had also contacted the dog warden in the past. She said her own animals do not roam and remain on her property. Photos of dead animals were provided and attached to the report.
When deputies spoke with the dog owner, he disputed responsibility. He said the area has long had wildlife problems, including coyotes, and suggested the animals may not have been killed by his dogs. He also told deputies he has lived in the area for decades and that his dogs have “always run loose,” adding that neighbors sometimes feed them. He said he had not received recent complaints.
No citations were issued at the time, and the incidents were documented for follow-up.
Why This Matters More in 2026
Situations like this may soon be handled very differently.
New Ohio rules taking effect this year strengthen how dog attacks are addressed — including attacks on other animals, not just people. Under the updated standards:
- Repeated attacks on livestock and pets carry increased weight
- Prior complaints and documented incidents matter more
- Owners can face escalating penalties if dogs continue to roam
- Courts may order stricter confinement or removal when attacks persist
In short: the long-standing attitude of “they’ve always run loose” may no longer carry much legal weight.