No dog fee money for llamas

COLUMBUS — A Noble County farmer cannot receive reimbursement from the county for a llama killed by a stray dog, according to Attorney General Marc Dann.

Noble County officials sought guidance on the issue earlier this year after the animal’s owner asked to be paid through the county’s dog kennel fund. The llama was worth $500.

Counties are allowed to use a portion of dog license fees to reimburse farmers for livestock losses caused by dogs they don’t own or that don’t live on the premises. But Ohio law mentions only "horses, sheep, cattle, swine, mules, goats, domestic rabbits, or domestic fowl or poultry."

No specific mention is made of llamas or other specialty livestock. In his opinion, Dann wrote that the code limits its application to the animals listed.