LISBON Commissioners deal with animal cases

The compensation is based on the value of the slain animals and several other factors.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- It may sound like a 19th-century holdover, but Ohio law still requires counties to compensate owners of livestock killed by stray dogs.
Columbiana County commissioners dealt with two such cases Wednesday.
Both stemmed from December events in which two stray dogs killed two calves and injured two others one day and killed nine domestic rabbits at another location the next day.
In the case involving the cows, the Fairfield Township owners sought a $2,300 settlement from the county.
But after investigating, county dog Warden Barb Derringer told commissioners that she believed the animals were worth just $960.
Since the owners already had received a $1,033 payment from their insurance company, commissioners refused any payment from the county.
Case of rabbits
In the other case, also involving Fairfield Township animal owners, commissioners agreed to pay $135 to compensate for loss of the rabbits. Their owners, who had no insurance on the creatures, had valued them at $150.
One of the dogs was captured and impounded by the dog warden, who later released it to its owner, commissioners said.
They added that they believe the dog warden is pursuing charges against the dog's owner because dogs are not allowed to run at large.
Derringer was unavailable for comment.
Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the county averages payments of several hundred dollars annually for livestock-kill cases.
The compensation law stems from counties' longtime responsibility to round up stray dogs, Mahoning County Dog Warden Carol Markovich explained.
Collecting the compensation is not simple. It requires an investigation by the dog warden's office, Markovich noted.
Fair-market value of the slain animals is considered, as is whether the owner has insurance.
Owner is responsible
If the owner of the killing dog is identified, claimants are referred to that person for compensation.
Should it turn out livestock was killed by a coyote, owners must seek compensation from the state.
Claims that are counties' responsibility are typically paid from each county's dog and kennel fund, which is fueled through dog license fees.
Markovich pointed out that it's a minor misdemeanor violation to allow a dog to roam freely. The infraction can produce a fine of between $25 and $100 for a first offense.
Being a largely suburban county, Mahoning sees few livestock-kill claims, Markovich said.