Miami Valley stray dog crisis: ARCC says they’re full, Dayton Police can’t help

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — The Miami Valley is facing a stray dog crisis.

The Animal Resource Center says that they are full and have no room to take more animals.

The Dayton Police Department has a new policy where they aren’t able to pick up stray dogs.

So, that begs the question: What are Miami Valley residents supposed to do when they encounter an animal that doesn’t have a home?

“If nobody is picking up strays, two things are going to happen. We’re going to have a lot more dogs getting killed on the road,” said Kirsten Knight, founder and co-director of Adopt a Pit Rescue. “Eventually, we’re going to end up with packs of loose dogs running around.”

Dayton 24/7 Now’s Lydia Bice sat down with Knight on Monday to discuss what is going to happen to stray animals in the Miami Valley if the Animal Resource Center and Dayton Police Department aren’t able to take them in or help residents relocate them.

This comes as the ARC says they’re too full and the Dayton Police Department sent out this email to employees, saying they aren’t allowed to help stray dogs while on duty.

“They’re not supposed to put a leash on a dog, a snare on a dog, they’re not supposed to put a dog in the back of a police cruiser,” Knight said. “If they’re not willing to do that, nobody is going to help.”

The Dayton Police Department sent us the following statement about their new policy:

Since the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center changed its policy as it relates to dogs, Dayton Police Department officers have done what they could to address issues regarding dogs in our community. However, the Dayton Police Department does not have the capacity to provide care and shelter for all of these dogs, nor does the department have the staffing to address such issues. The Dayton Police Department is working on clarifying its policy as it relates to dogs.

So far in 2024 there have been 698 calls for service related to animals. Through July 7th there have been 426 animal calls, which can be miscellaneous animal complaints. There have been 215 dangerous animal calls and 57 calls designated as animal bite calls. In 2023 there were 1,261 calls in these three categories. In 2022 and 2021 there were more than 1600 animal related calls each year.

It’s not just the Dayton Police Department who says they aren’t able to help with the stray crisis right now.

“I’ve had several different DPD officers reach out to me, upset that the ARC hasn’t been able to come get dogs involved in certain calls. What would you say to these officers and community members about why that is?” asked Bice.

“First and foremost I would say we sympathize with them,” said Kara Hamby, public information officer for the Animal Resource Center. “We are absolutely overcrowded right now so we estimate that there are 140,000 dogs living in Montgomery County and we have space here in the shelter to house 80 at any given time.”

“What do you say to residents who say their taxpayer money goes to this shelter so you should be able to house all of the animals in need?” Bice asked.

“We have to be judicious about the dogs that we impound here. We have to make sure that the shelter is a last resort for those animals that do come here,” Hamby said.

If you’re in a situation where a stray dog is on your property and help hasn’t arrived, there are a few things that you can do.

“If someone feels uncomfortable or they do not feel safe handling a dog, we absolutely do not encourage them to approach that dog. We ask them to call us and then at that time we’ll gather information and facts on the phone then dispatch a safety patrol officer as soon as possible,” Hamby said. “If they’re in a position where they can and are willing to help, what we suggest is people take a little bit of time and try to get that dog home. A lot of times lost dogs are only within a mile from where they live.”

With agencies saying their hands are tied, there are still a few options for these strays.

“We’re on Facebook as Adopt a Pit Rescue, we always need foster homes. Especially now with all the strays,” Knight said. “My foster homes are full. Every single spot that I have at a foster home is full, always. Somebody gets adopted, I usually have another dog waiting to get into that place.”

“We absolutely encourage the community to get involved. Obviously your best options are to adopt, foster, volunteer, rescue,” Hamby said.

For more information about Adopt a Pit Rescue, head to their website where you can see available dogs, or their Facebook page.

To see the Animal Resource Center’s available dogs, head to this link.

The Favicon for the website, dogsandpurses(dot)com, features an all-black background with a minimalist line drawing of a puppy's head poking out of a stylish purse. The puppy's head is drawn with a cute and friendly expression, making it the focal point of the design. The purse, which the puppy is emerging from, is depicted with clean, elegant lines. The contrast between the black background and the white line drawing creates a striking and modern look for the Favicon.
Dogs and Purses Favicon

WANT MORE?

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST on PAWS and PURSES in PERFECT PROPORTION.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.