Commissioners address dog pound concerns

NORWALK — Huron County commissioners are looking at changes to the county dog warden operation after concerns about the office surfaced on social media. Part of the controversy involved the recent euthanasia of a dog at the county dog warden facility. A since-deleted Facebook post stated that an adoptable dog at the county's shelter had been euthanized. Dunlap said the post showed or referred to the wrong dog. He said the dog that was actually euthanized had been at the county facility for an extended period and was considered aggressive. Dunlap explained the county's perspective on the claim, discussions and changes at the county dog warden's office and ideas they are considering pursuing. What's been happening? Dunlap said the commissioners learned about the concerns through social media rather than through complaints made directly to them. "Nobody talked to us," he said. "They just put it on Facebook." Dunlap said the commissioners recently met with Huron County dog warden Josh Jasinski, the county's attorney and human resources director to discuss the concerns and develop a plan for moving forward. "We had a real positive back-and-forth discussion," Dunlap said. County dog warden offices are responsible for securing loose dogs when they are reported. State law allows county dog wardens to adopt out unclaimed dogs after required holding periods. If the facility cannot discharge a dog that way, canines may ultimately be humanely euthanized. The law also contains separate procedures for dogs designated as dangerous or vicious. "Unfortunately, you can't save them all," Dunlap said. Ideas suggested One change commissioners are exploring would allow volunteers to help walk and socialize dogs at the county facility. Dunlap said commissioners questioned why volunteers were not being allowed to walk dogs. Jasinski told them he had previously been advised that allowing volunteers could create liability concerns. The county is now checking with its insurance provider and looking at how other counties operate similar programs. Officials are considering a waiver along with rules volunteers would have to follow. "Hopefully we can institute some kind of a dog-walking program," Dunlap said. Dunlap said allowing volunteers to help could also reduce some of the workload on the dog warden's staff. Commissioners are also researching the possibility of a new facility for the dog warden operation and a dog park, Dunlap said. The discussion comes several months after commissioners approved updated standard operating procedures for the dog warden's office. On May 19, commissioners unanimously approved the revised procedures at Jasinski's recommendation. County records said the changes were intended to update the office's policies and meet its current needs. Dunlap said the commissioners intend to continue working through the issues raised about the office. His concern, he said, is that commissioners cannot address problems they do not know about. "The complaining customer is a real good feel for you on how to correct things," Dunlap said. "But if the customer doesn't complain to you, you don't know." Dunlap said additional steps are still being worked out. "We're on top of it," he said.