08/03/2026
The Columbiana County Dog Pound is a county-operated agency, but we are not funded through the county’s general fund. Our operations are supported entirely by county dog license fees and donations. Because of this, we operate with a small staff while caring for approximately 55–60 dogs at any given time.
When someone calls to report a complaint, the first information we ask for is the location or address of the dog, if known. This helps us respond more efficiently to the large number of calls we receive. We also ask for the caller’s address. If the complaint involves a dog, we may check to see whether the dog is properly licensed. Please understand that this is not an attempt to cost anyone money—it is simply part of our job and required by Ohio law.
Just as we are expected to have a driver’s license and license plate to operate a vehicle, Ohio law requires dogs to be licensed. The annual dog license fee is $12.00. If purchased after the deadline, the total cost is $24.00, which includes the late fee.
Please don’t take offense if we ask these questions. We are simply doing the job we have been entrusted to do and following the laws we are required to enforce.
One final point: because of our limited staff and workload, we are not able to return every phone call with an update on the outcome of a complaint. We do make every effort to follow up on serious cases whenever possible. However, many investigations take time, and it can take days or even weeks to make contact with the dog owner or receive a return call. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to address each complaint as thoroughly and fairly as possible.
Thank you for your support of the Columbiana County Dog Pound and for helping us keep our community’s dogs safe and protected. 🐾♥️
