The Trumbull County Dog Pound needs little introduction. For years, many referred to it as the worst dog pound in the State of Ohio.
After years of struggle, a variety of grassroots organizations have brought some needed change to this substandard dog pound, including spaying/neutering and rescue. Robin McClelland, Ohio SPCA Eastern Counties Coordinator, reports she has reason to believe that the kill rate may have been as high as 100% at one time. While Trumbull County has finally welcomed rescue efforts, there is much work to be done. Trumbull County appears to be without an active dog warden. The “acting dog warden”, James W. Keaton, is also the Director of the Human Resources Dept. for Trumbull County. Rather than finding the “dog warden” at the pound, you are more likely to find Mr. Keaton in a suit and tie behind a desk in his office.
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![P9120347[1][2]](http://www.ohiospca.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/P912034712-300x225.jpg "P9120347[1][2]")
- Dogs killed in the gas chamber at Trumbull County Dog Pound and then discarded like empty soda cans!
These loyal companions became trash because of irresponsible pet owners. Surrendered or found roaming, these former pets, like so many in Ohio shelters, never found a new forever home. The landfill is where you will find their bodies.
The message is simple:
Spay and Neuter!
Don
Up until recently, had you visited this dog pound facility, you may have had an opportunity to view the infamous sofa, often combined with a napping employee, although there is little space for the actual dogs. While it has been reported that the Union has since removed the offensive sofa, for which we are grateful, the time for some serious reform has come. Furthermore, we have reason to believe the gas chamber has some issues that not only may cause safety concerns to employees and others, including visitors, it may also be contributing to a more horrendous death for those animals that have, and will continue, to end their lives in this antiquated gas box. We have received reports that dogs have been gassed, body-bagged and thrown into the dumpster, only to be retrieved later still alive, and gassed again.
The Ohio SPCA served the county with an extensive records request. The amount of documents provided in response to our request, which should have been voluminous, could literally be balanced on one’s little finger. This is not acceptable. We will continue to investigate new claims, as well as proceed with our efforts to rid the facility of the gas box and bring reform to this county dog pound.
OMG horrible disgusting place.Change needs to come and soon.May all those innocent souls who were destroyed by this hellhole Rest In Peace.
Yes, I was the lst to go start the reform in this pound, with OSPCA guidance we have brought alot of change, especially rescue friendly, but the internal care and pound still has a long way to go.
We were able to get a s/n program so people couldn’t just adopt and then never fix their dogs from there. We were able to help educate them on some cleaning policies, but if they follow them we don’t know. We were able to get them to start a volunteer program so locals could keep an eye on where their tax dollars were going and help those poor dogs. The injured dogs are not helped or vetted, just left to suffer, but sometimes if we pressure them now they do take a dog to a vet and do some type of help, but buying meds is not an option if the dog needs them.
They still don’t isolate the incoming dogs so you have to be careful when adopting from there, but they have come along way. We donated water buckets because they were not evening watering the dogs on hot days and shutting them outside with no water.
There have been many improvements over the last 3 years, and the local volunteers there now are still working on getting improvements for their pound. Those dogs still need more help then other organized and descent dog pounds, so please if you are local, go help and if you are a rescue, please try to take in some Trumbull Dogs
Sandy & Ron (original reformers)
I would think that if the County could not produce many documents – they don’t have any and if they don’t have any they could be in violation of many different kinds of compliancy regulations.
Maybe Mr Keating should try re-writting the Warden’s job description to include fundraising/grant writing, participation in cummunity outreach projects and education of the community regarding the responsibilities of pet owners.
I was one of the founding members of this group and have seen it at its worst. Things still have not changed, only superficially and even than it is pathetic at best. This place needs attention or to be closed down.