Huntington, Baker County discuss patrol hours as residents press for stronger dog enforcement

Huntington council members and the sheriff’s office discussed options for policing and animal control after residents raised repeated complaints about dogs running at large and aggressive or persistent barking.

Sheriff Travis Ash reported that in 2023 deputies opened 71 cases and answered 638 calls for service in Huntington. Council members asked whether reducing or changing dedicated patrol hours would materially change the sheriff’s budget; Sheriff Ash said he needed to run numbers with his administrative staff and report back. The contract for dedicated patrol hours runs through the fiscal year and currently provides 80 hours per month at approximately $74,000 per year; the council set a work session with the sheriff for February 12 to explore alternatives.

Residents and council discussed animal-control enforcement limits under state law (which generally requires a deputy to personally witness some dog behaviors for certain enforcement actions). Baker County’s older county dog ordinance (1988) was brought up as a possible vehicle the city could adopt to give the sheriff clearer authority to enforce dog nuisances within city limits. Sgt. Eric Colton and other sheriff staff have been asked to coordinate with the council and the judge’s office on the county ordinance’s enforceability and court handling. Meanwhile the city is pursuing multiple paths: outreach to neighboring police departments for potential contracted animal‑control assistance, exploring a city enforcement mechanism and recommending residents document incidents and report them so law enforcement has a formal record.