ASHLAND MEMORIES: Dog problems and a new dog shelter
Robert Long took over the job of county dog warden after Carl Koegler retired in 1963. He dealt with more controversy over how unwanted dogs were treated, and he also oversaw the construction of a new dog pound.
By 1967, a new facility was much needed. The current pound on Cleveland Road, which had kennel space for 25 to 30 dogs, was receiving complaints and was definitely overcrowded with 40 dogs in residence.
PREVIOUS ASHLAND MEMORIES: Dog warden was doggone busy
In March, the county commissioners discussed plans for a new shelter. Veterinarian Dr. Andrew L. Miller offered to sell his building on the edge of the fairgrounds to the county for $35,000 but that plan did not suit them. Instead, the Ashland County Fair Board approved the transfer of a plot of land on the northeast corner of the fairgrounds, on Garfield Avenue, where the county commissioners estimated the cost of building at $20,000 to $25,000.
Construction began in June and was completed in time for an open house to be held during the fair that fall.
When it opened in October, the new pound on Garfield became home to 35 dogs, but it had room for 60, along with an office for the dog warden. With the new facility, Bob Long took over responsibility for dog calls within the city as well as the county. Up to that time, the city police were answering an average of 30 to 40 calls per month.
The unpleasant dilemma regarding what to do with unwanted stray dogs
Long faced an unpleasant dilemma regarding what to do with unwanted stray dogs. He stated unclaimed dogs were then being transported to labs for medical research purposes. He said “we get very few complaints against this program,” but that quickly changed.
For some time the dog warden contracted with a dog dealer, who picked up unwanted dogs and either transferred them to research labs or euthanized them. However, the Ohio Humane Federation raised objections to this, and public opinion also rose up against the practice.
The outcry pointed out state law made it illegal for the dog warden to contract with a private individual for this service. After receiving an official clarification on the law from the Ohio Attorney General, the county commissioners ended the contract with the dog dealer and arranged a humane, on-site method for euthanasia.
Dog warden Bob Long also established a positive relationship with Pilot Dogs Inc., a Columbus organization that trains guide dogs for the blind. In 1968, he arranged for several dogs to be donated to Pilot Dogs for evaluation as guide dogs.
In one case, a local dog went to Pilot Dogs because its owner was going to have it put to sleep. The dog was a farm dog, but it was so playful it scared the sheep into a corner of the field and the sheep got hurt in the scramble.
That German shepherd graduated from the Pilot Dogs program and became a service dog for a blind man in Texas. His story appeared in the pages of Country Living Magazine in July 1970. That magazine story inspired several local girls to also get involved with the Pilot Dogs as 4-H projects. The organization arranged for prospective puppies to be trained by young people, which proved good early socialization for guide dogs.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: ASHLAND MEMORIES: Dog problems and a new dog shelter
