MAHONING COUNTY WARDEN Cyclists voice concerns over dogs

A cycling group hopes more is done to address the issue of loose dogs.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.and BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS
YOUNGSTOWN -- A new Mahoning County dog warden will soon be selected, and members of a northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania bicycle club hope to see a difference in the office with the change in leadership.
The nearly 400 members of the OutSpokin' Wheelmen bicycling organization log thousands of miles annually in group rides and personal ride time. When the members strap on safety gear and straddle their bicycles, the thought of run-ins with dogs is never out of mind.
Most group members can relate stories of run-ins with dogs while riding. One woman was bitten twice by the same loose dog after the animal began chasing her during a ride. Others say loose dogs will repeatedly chase bicyclists with no action taken against owners who do not properly restrain the animals.
Ode Aduma, bicycle club president, said the dog warden's office must do a better job of addressing the issue of loose dogs. He said loose dogs can be a real problem for any cyclist.
"We would like to have a dog warden that if you call him or her, they will be willing to enforce the law as it is, not create new laws, but enforce the laws that exist," he said. "Our complaint is not only dog bites, but even a playful dog can get caught up in our spokes."
Bigger problem
Group members Ellen and Lowell Satre have ridden in various parts of the United States and other countries. They think loose dogs are a bigger problem here than in most areas and getting a timely, productive response from the dog warden's office has been a problem.
Ellen Satre said it should also be a responsibility of the dog warden's office to educate the public as to the responsibilities of dog owners and what the state and local laws are. She said public education and better enforcement through increased cooperation with police agencies is what most group members would like to see.
Any changes in the dog warden's office will be in the hands of the new warden.
Mahoning County commissioners have narrowed the list of 31 applicants for dog warden to seven finalists, who will be interviewed June 23 and June 30, said Connie Pierce, human-resources director.
List of finalists
The finalists are: John G. Klenec of Campbell; Daniel J. Martin of Berlin Center; Michael L. Fox of Lowellville; and Thomas DeGenova, Carole A. Keevey, Barend R. Vanden Bosch and David W. Nelson, all of Youngstown.
Fox has been serving as interim dog warden since Carol Markovich retired May 31. He has been with the department nearly 29 years. Klenec and Keevey are also longtime employees of the dog warden's department.
Pierce said DeGenova and Vanden Bosch are deputies with the county sheriff's department, and Nelson is the humane agent for Animal Charities of Ohio. Martin owns and operates Mill Creek Deli and formerly worked at Youngstown Municipal Court.
Pierce said once the interviews are completed, she hopes to have a recommendation ready for commissioners to hire someone in July.
jgoodwin@vindy.combjackson@vindy.com