CADIZ - Harrison County leaders are facing a possible lawsuit after the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) issued a final demand in an ongoing dispute over the county's dog pound.
In a letter dated March 2, the Ohio SPCA claims it has received documentation of filthy conditions, improper housing of dogs and inhumane euthanasia at the facility which is operated through the county.
However, local leaders deny those accusations saying any lawsuit would be unfounded.
"This is an ongoing issue that is festering again," Commissioner Barbara Pincola stated in an email correspondence Thursday morning. "The Harrison County Dog Pound is a dog pound and not a shelter."
"We believe we are in compliance with the laws concerning the pound," added commission Chairman Mike Vinka.
Both Pincola and Vinka said the pound is not in any violations, however, the Ohio SPCA is contending otherwise.
In an email, the Ohio SPCA made a variety of accusation against the county regarding the treatment of dogs at the county operated dog pound. The correspondence indicated the county has euthanized dogs by intraperitoneal injection into the abdominal cavity, resulting in prolonged suffering before death. The group also said that on at least two occasions, bodies of euthanized dogs were observed moving after being placed into trash bags.
The accusations go on to say kennels and dog bowls are not properly cleaned, leading to Parvo outbreaks, while new dogs are placed in kennels with waste remaining from previous dogs. The group also believes dogs have suffered frostbite on their paws after their pads adhered to a urine-soaked cement floor.
In the letter, the Ohio SCPA is demanding the following:
There are numerous other concerns regarding the Harrison County Pound in addition to those listed above according to the emailed letter, including lack of sufficient staffing, an inadequate facility, a limited number of pens and no vaccination labels or documentation as to when animals are vaccinated. The correspondence also cited unsanitary storage of food, lack of sufficient bedding for the dogs, inadequate and incorrect registration forms.
Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey has reviewed the information provided by the Ohio SPCA and said the county would comply with their records request. However, he said he believes there is confusion in the definition of a dog pound as opposed to that of an animal shelter.
"In Ohio, by statute, a dog pound is to function to control the dog population," he said. "A dog or animal shelter is a different situation. I am troubled when I see people who are more concerned with providing for abandoned dogs than they are for abandoned children."
Many local residents have been working to support the dog pound in a variety of ways.
Most recently, in an attempt to find homes for unwanted or stray canines, volunteers have joined together and are now featuring available dogs on Facebook, a social networking website.
According to those volunteers, the response to the site has been amazing and many dogs have been saved with several even going to out-of-state rescue groups.
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
