Ashland County Dog Shelter Reports Major Progress, Policy Shifts, and Legal Wins in Annual Update to Commissioners
ASHLAND — During a comprehensive update at Thursday morning’s Ashland County Commissioners meeting, Ashland County Dog Warden Deputy Curtis Hall and Kennel Manager Shannon Hamilton outlined a year of major improvements, expanded partnerships, and growing legal accountability when it comes to animal welfare across the county.
Before Commissioners Denny D. Bittle, James Emmett Justice, and Michael E. Welch, Hall delivered a detailed report on call volume, court cases, licensing compliance, and shelter operations.
218 Calls, Dog Bite Convictions, and Crackdown on Dumping
Hall reported responding to 218 calls for service so far this year—both law enforcement and animal control-related—and confirmed two recent convictions in a high-profile dog bite case in Savannah involving a mother and her boyfriend. A third defendant is set to go to trial.
He also announced convictions in three separate animal dumping cases, crediting video surveillance, community tips, and aggressive investigative work. One case involved a dog that was left injured overnight on County Road 1106 and required $6,000 in veterinary care. The offender in that case was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
“I’m proud to say that if you dump a dog in Ashland County, there are consequences,” Hall said. “Judge Good has handled these cases professionally, and I think the punishment has matched the crime.”
Dog Licensing and Enforcement
As of the meeting, Ashland County had sold 8,442 dog licenses, totaling over $185,000 in revenue, with 491 still unrenewed—nearly half the number from this time last year. Hall expressed concern about the number of unlicensed dogs that have never been registered and warned that citations may soon increase as a result.
Stronger Interagency Cooperation
One of the most notable changes, Hall said, has been the transformation in how the dog shelter works with outside agencies. He highlighted new collaborative efforts with the Cleveland VA, Ashland JFS, Samaritan Hospital, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wayne County Dog Shelter.
“In the past, there just wasn’t any real communication,” Hall said. “Now, if another agency calls, we answer. That’s our policy.”
He credited the Ashland Municipal Court and local law enforcement for backing the shelter’s mission, particularly in prosecuting animal cruelty cases and enforcing licensing laws.
Shelter Health, Medical Costs Prompt Fee Change Proposal
Kennel Manager Shannon Hamilton followed with a financial and operational update, emphasizing growing costs associated with Lyme disease and heartworm treatment.
To offset those costs, Hamilton proposed modest fee increases:
Adoption fees: From $175 to $180
Redemption fees: From $30 to $40
Daily housing fee: From $10 to $15
He noted the shelter will also begin Saturday hours—from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.—starting July 12 to boost adoptions and redemptions.
Shelter Intake and Adoption Stats
Since the beginning of the year:
105 dogs have entered the shelter
41 have been adopted
43 reclaimed by owners
13 transferred to rescue groups
5 placed in foster homes (now down to two)
4 dogs were humanely euthanized due to severe behavioral concerns
Hamilton also acknowledged a slight drop in adoptions but attributed it to fewer overall dogs entering the shelter and more direct owner returns thanks to proactive field investigations.
“We only have one long-term dog remaining, who’s now participating in playgroups in Wayne County and showing great progress toward adoptability,” he said.
Commissioner Praise and Support
Commissioner Denny D. Bittle praised both Hall and Hamilton for their transparency, passion, and tireless efforts to modernize operations.
“The outreach, the medical care, the partnerships—you’ve completely changed how this shelter operates,” Bittle said. “The county should be proud of the work you’re doing. Other counties will be asking how you did it.”
He also emphasized the life-or-death importance of early detection of Lyme disease and heartworm, commending the shelter’s increased coordination with local veterinarians.
“This is no longer the same organization it was even a year ago,” he added. “This is an operation we can all be proud of.”
