Almost 100 pets seized in Allen County, more pending

[Silent_Bob]

http://www.examiner.com/article/almost-100-pets-seized-allen-county-more-pending

There's a war on dogs in Allen County Ohio. Almost 100 pets have already been seized by the Allen County Dog Warden since beginning a compliance sweep in recent days.

Allen County dog owners who haven't licensed their dogs this year better do one of two things immediately: buy a license today or hide their family dog(s)! The Dog Warden is doing a clean sweep of unlicensed pets. On Thursday, they posted a notice on their Facebook page:

"Allen County Dog Warden's Office

Hi all of our Facebook friends. Just wanted to let you all know why we haven't posted adoptable dogs..... we don't have any right now! Rescue groups have been able to take our adoptable dogs and we are very grateful they have the room because we have started our tag compliance checks.

Every year we print a list of people that haven't renewed their dog license, then we try to call as many as we can to see if they still have their dog. If they do we encourage them to get it within a given time. If they choose not to, then they can receive a citation or have their dog impounded or both. While out doing our compliance checks we are checking surrounding houses as well.

This year due to the recent events, dog attacks, and dog bites, dogs without licenses, (stray or owned) are being impounded. Owners are all given information on how to claim their dog(s).

The goal is to keep the public safe and be able to identify dogs if they should gets (sic) loose. If you don't already have your dogs license please do so asap. You can purchase it on line, at the Auditors Office web site, in the courthouse or at our facility.

Thank you to everyone who already has their dogs licensed.

If you have any questions please contact me at the office,  419-223-8528 ."

And make no mistake, they are impounding pets in this sweep.

When questioned via their Facebook page what they are doing with the impounded dogs, they replied: "...so far most have claimed their dogs the same or next day, which is great. If unlicensed dogs are not claimed after the legal holding time of 3 days the healthy, friendly adoptable dogs are offered to rescues and Debs Dogs, Happy Tails Pup Partners, Allen and Auglaize County Humane Societies have been great. Yes, we do euthanize."

What's wrong with this picture?

Well, a lot. First of all, at a time where many residents of Ohio make a decision every month whether to pay a utility bill or buy food, and a time when abandoned pets are being found left behind in foreclosed homes, it's not beyond the scope of the imagination to think that in some cases dog licensing is not at the top of their list of priorities. Additionally, while the Allen County Dog Warden praises the local rescues who have emptied their kennels to make way for dogs seized in this sweep, this practice puts an extra strain on those groups.

It's true that under Ohio law you must buy a license for your dog each year, and it's certainly in your, and your pet's best interest to do so. If you don't license your dog, you are subjected to a fine and you must purchase a license at double the price. But that's not enough for Allen County authorities, who are making this a money grab. Once impounded, an owner must pay impound fees, a daily boarding fee, a fine and buy a license at double the price in order to retrieve their pet.

Under Ohio law, dogs running at large are immediately impounded. Unlicensed dogs are held for 3 days, licensed dogs for 14; and if they are not claimed, they may be turned over to a rescue or they may be euthanized.

That's right: if your unlicensed dog is impounded, it can be killed by authorities after only 3 days.

And right now, Allen County doesn't even care if your pet is in your home, under your control. No license -- no dog.

Further complicating matters is the issue of pit bulls. Allen County dog owners be warned: If your dog happens to be a pit bull, or one of the other dogs that Lima ordinance lists as vicious, your dog will not make it out of the Allen County Dog Pound alive. Even though Ohio legislators removed pit bulls from the vicious dog list last year, cities may still enforce breed specific restrictions. The city of Lima is one such city that has kept a pit bull restriction in place. Even if your pit bull is OK in your Allen County community, if she's not licensed, the dog warden will impound her, take it to Lima, and kill her.

Allen County dog owners had better work fast. License today at double the price or face a pile of other fees as well as the possible death of your pet.

Think the Allen County Dog Warden policy is a load of BS? Call or email County Commissioners at:  (419)228-3700  or commissioners@allencountyohio.com. Better yet, attend the Commissioner's meeting this Wednesday, May 8 at 301 N. Main Street, Lima and be heard.

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The Cleveland Pets examiner covers news from Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Grafton, Hudson, Kent, Lorain, Medina, Mentor, Ravenna, and all of the Cleveland suburbs. Please send your Greater Cleveland pet news to: yelodoggie@yahoo.com.