CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Hamilton County commissioners met with the dog warden Tuesday to discuss how a Colerain Township dog attack that sent a woman to the hospital was handled.
Commissioners say that as the weather warms up and more people spend time outdoors, it’s essential that the community feels safe in their neighborhoods.
The March 11 meeting was primarily about the dog warden’s protocol when responding to a dog bite.
Beth Ward, the county’s dog warden, says she understands the concern but states her office follows Ohio law, which requires dogs to be quarantined for 10 days after biting someone to prevent the spread of rabies.
According to Ward, her office decides where dogs are quarantined, adding that the owners wanted to keep them in their home.
“We were able to determine that they could safely do that. We were able to determine that there were no prior histories, no prior calls of incidents or concerns of the dogs being at large,” Ward said Tuesday.
On Monday, Colerain police said the dog warden’s officers did not take the dogs into custody because they were too dangerous.
“I want to note that with a heavy, bold underline, that is incorrect,” Warden said.
At the end of the 10-day quarantine, Ward explained that her officers would present their investigation and recommendations for the dog’s future to a judge to decide, which the owners can appeal.
In the case of the Colerain Township attack, the owners have already made a decision.
“They’re making arrangements to have the dogs euthanized at the end of the quarantine period,” Ward confirmed.
During the meeting, the commissioners continuously voiced their disappointment with the dogs being allowed to quarantine inside the owners’ home.
Ward stated that Ohio laws need to be updated and that her office is stretched thin.
“We need more officers,” Ward said. “Right now, we have budgeted 10.”
The dog warden’s office is responsible for 52 square miles across Hamilton County.
A lawsuit has been filed against the dog warden for not taking the dogs into custody.
The Colerain Township Board of Trustees released the following statement about the dog attack after the March 11 Hamilton County commissioners meeting.
Colerain Township appreciates the comments and stance taken by the County Commissioners at their Commission meeting on March 11, 2025. In the wake of this tragic event, our hope is to find better ways forward when it comes to serving and protecting all the people who live, work and visit our community. The Township stands ready to assist the county in any way it may require as it engages in this review.
We also appreciate the county’s commitment to finding a short-term solution that will result in the removal of these dangerous dogs from our neighborhood. We are also prepared to assist with any state-wide efforts that will result in direct changes to the law, ensuring our residents are protected.
Further, we understand that a prior statement did contain an inaccuracy about the reasoning for not taking the dog from the home and apologize for the clause in the statement. In an evolving environment, sometimes information from one source may not align with the initial understanding. As such, it is important that we correct the record and do apologize.
Ultimately, the Township Police Department is prepared and ready to assist with the removal of the dogs as we await next steps from the Dog Warden.
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