Holmes County Dog Warden reports increase in number of dogs coming into shelter

MILLERSBURG − Holmes County Dog Warden Jonathan Beam noted an increase in the number of intake dogs in 2023 during his annual report to the Holmes County commissioners.

Beam said 419 dogs were taken into the shelter, an increase from the previous year's 375.

"We see a pattern growing from 2020, '21 and '22," said Commissioner Dave Hall. "It seems like we're getting to the point where we're maxing out our space."

Beam said outcome is keeping pace with intake. There were 420 dogs that went out in 2023, 246 by adoption and 137 that were reclaimed. He said 28 dogs were rescued and eight were euthanized.

"As long as the outcome is as high as the intake, we're doing OK," the dog warden said. "But, if you look at the average daily count for the year, we're talking almost 14 dogs a day at the shelter. That's the same number of kennels we have.

"The speed at which the dogs are going in and out is insanity," he continued. "It didn't used to be like that. The average length of stay is also higher (8.5 days). So dogs that come in are staying longer."

Looking at the intake numbers and the average length of stay increasing, he doesn't see those numbers going down.

It's all about public safety

"The forefront of what we do is public safety," Beam said. "If we do pick up a dog or a dog comes in that has behavioral problems, and I don't personally feel safe handling it or adopting it out to the public, we do have to euthanize.

"Whenever we are faced with that decision, it is a very challenging decision for us to make," he continued. "I don't think we can have a black and white policy for that."

Holmes County's policy allows dogs to stay at the shelter longer as long as space is available.

Hall noted the shelter has a good volunteer adoption team in place that works hard to make sure they find a home for all the dogs.

An example is a coon hound named Freddy that was at the shelter for about a year and a half before he was adopted.

"Now he's a trucking dog who travels across the country," Beam said. "We get pictures every now and then from Freddy somewhere in the country. He's got quite a number of people following him."

Other data: Complaints of loose dogs to those uncared for

The dog warden said 2023 was a challenging year, but as the numbers indicate, it also was a good year.

"We responded to 206 complaints this year, which is a little higher than last year (198)," Beam said.

He pointed out complaints range from a neighbor's dog running at large to a dog at a certain property is not being cared for properly.

"Any time we take a complaint from the general public about a dog that is causing problems or not being taken care of," Beam said. "Welfare concerns seem to be more prominent, but this year we had quite a few dogs running at large complaints."

There were 88 complaints about dog welfare, four of which led to criminal charges. There also were 91 running at large complaints and 16 reports of dog bites, of which two new dangerous dogs designations were issued.

The dog warden issued 43 citations and 67 warnings.

Beam noted dog wardens are not usually involved in welfare investigations, but the Holmes County Humane Society has appointed the dog warden as the humane agent.

Hall said the commissioners appreciate the four-person team at the shelter on Holmes County Road 349. Aside from Beam, there are two deputy dog wardens and a kennel technician.

"We appreciate how you professionally handle these challenging calls," Hall said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Holmes dog warden reports climb in number of dogs coming to shelter