Vienna officials hoping woman whose dog was killed will comply with zoning law regarding signs

Staff report

VIENNA

The controversy produced by the shooting by a Vienna man of his neighbor’s dog has created another issue for township officials.

Soon after the black Labrador named Tucker died, a campaign on Facebook developed to keep people aware of the latest developments in the case.

Along with the Facebook page came signs in the yards of homes in Vienna and elsewhere saying www.justicefortucker.org.

The signs direct people to an online petition where they can request a change in Ohio law governing the killing of animals on another person’s property.

But recently, the Vienna Township zoning inspector sent Kim Ellis, Tucker’s owner, a letter informing her that her sign was in violation of the zoning ordinance.

The letter says the signs cannot remain indefinitely, that they fall under the category of temporary signs and should stay up only 30 days. Ellis went to Monday’s township trustees meeting to get clarification.

Ellis said after the meeting she felt township officials were being fair and cooperative with her, but she feels the signs should remain up for now because the petition drive is still about 500 signatures short of the goal of 5,000,

Ellis said she feels Ohio law should be more specific as to situations in which a property owner has the right to shoot a pet that enters that landowner’s property.

Trustee Heidi Brown said township officials asked Ellis if the signs can be removed after a scheduled April 1 hearing in Girard Municipal court to determine damages to be paid to Ellis for the loss of her dog.

Brown said she believes Ellis will cooperate with the request and also will ask others who support the campaign to remove their signs.