Ohio urban county owes more than $1K for slain sheep

COLUMBUS (AP) — One of Ohio’s major urban counties is facing a bill of more than $1,000 for farm animals killed by two pit bulls.

Franklin County commissioners in Columbus have been asked to approve payment of $1,111 to Michael Gibboney. He lost four sheep in last month’s attack at his property in Jackson Township, south of the city.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the money is owed under a state law that says counties must provide compensation when a resident’s livestock is killed by a dog whose owner can’t be identified.

County Animal Control assistant director Joe Rock says agents could not determine who owned the pit bulls that got into the pen. The dogs were killed.

The money for Gibboney will come from dog owners’ licensing fees, not taxpayers.