ARC official explains what can be done about dogs running loose, attacking animals

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — People say they have exhausted all of their resources regarding dogs running loose in their neighborhood.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, Harrison Township residents say they’ve exhausted all their resources to get this under control.

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ARC spokesperson Kara Hamby said the center must follow certain policies regarding loose dogs.

“We are going to first of all try and get those dogs home. We’re going to try and make contact with that owner,” Hamby said.

News Center 7 spoke with a couple who shared Ring doorbell camera footage of the dogs repeatedly jumping gates.

Hamby said when the issues are continuous, ARC can only enforce their policies and the Ohio Revised Code 955.

“Which is the laws that we enforce here the ARC, we actually do not press charges or anything like that. For loose dogs, we are able to cite owners,” she said.

News Center 7 looked into the revised code and found that if a dog is loose or unconfined, the owner must obtain a dangerous dog registration certificate.

>>RELATED: ‘Bad ownership;’ People concerned after dogs run loose, attack animals in neighborhood

“It’s not the dog’s fault you know it’s just bad ownership,” one neighbor said.

Hamby said ARC is aware of the situation in the Harrison Township neighborhood.

“We are definitely going to do our due diligence and follow up on it,” she said.

According to a previous News Center 7 report, the dogs were seen chasing and attacking a cat on Wednesday.

“That unfortunately, is not something that we are able to do anything about,” Hamby said.

The revised code indicates that cats are not viewed as companion animals.

“If it’s an owned cat and they’re, you know, upset that their animal has been injured or killed, they are able to take that then and go to court as a civil manner,” Hamby said.

ARC said they will be monitoring the situation closely and citations could be handed out if this happens again.

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