Clermont County commissioners table dog-kennel volunteer policy as residents press for staffing, behavior services

Clermont County commissioners on Jan. 29 heard repeated complaints from residents about the county animal shelter and voted to table a proposed volunteer policy until Feb. 12 while staff continued negotiations and legal review.

The discussion began with public comments that accused county staff of mismanaging the shelter, failing to retain qualified staff and improperly using partner logos on the county website. “We are still severely understaffed. We don't have people who are qualified in these positions,” resident Deanna Smith said during public participation. Multiple speakers urged the county to use behaviorists and rescues to reduce euthanasia.

Angie (identified in the meeting as animal shelter staff) gave an operational update to the board. She told commissioners that, as of Jan. 24, the shelter had 25 dog intakes, 21 adoptions, one owner redemption, three euthanasias and one transfer to rescue; the reported population at that time was 40 but she said it had since decreased to 32 in the shelter with about 40 dogs in foster care. Angie said proposals for kennel management under a request for proposals (RFP) were due the next day and would be opened at 2:00 p.m. She added that a behavioral trainer had expressed interest and that facilities work and exterior fencing quotes were being sought. “All of the staff are doing that. I think that's gonna be a really helpful program about learning more about dog behavior,” Angie said of staff training.

Board President David L. Painter told speakers the county remains legally responsible for shelter functions under the Ohio Revised Code and that the county can subcontract operations but cannot fully relinquish statutory obligations. “If that entity is granted that contract, they will run that facility all their own. We don't interfere with that, but if they don't do the duties that are required under the Ohio Revised Code, we are still liable,” Painter said.

Several residents continued to press the board for faster hiring and more behavioral expertise. Jody (Joe) Wilson criticized commissioners’ handling of public commenters and charged officials with uneven responsiveness, while Tracy McCullough and others criticized interruptions during public comment and defended regular speakers who criticized shelter management.

After discussion, the board moved to bring the previously tabled Clermont County Dog Kennel volunteer policy back to the table and then voted to re-table it to a specific date. The board approved tabling the volunteer policy until Feb. 12, 2025, at the board's regular meeting, to allow additional revisions and legal review.

The board and staff also said they would review reported website links that residents said used another organization's logo. County staff later told the board they would examine embedded content and correct any unintended links.

The shelter update and policy debate followed earlier public comments about individual animal cases and broader concerns about staffing, training and euthanasia protocols. Commissioners and shelter staff emphasized that contractual arrangements and compliance with Ohio statutes determine what tasks the county may delegate and what it must retain.