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Stark County Sheriff Will Take Over Dog Warden's Office

The $700,000 renovation project at the Stark County shelter begins this week. While it will create more cage space when completed in February, the temporary shelter has even less space than the current facility.
KABIR BHATIA
/
WKSU
The $700,000 renovation project at the Stark County shelter begins this week. While it will create more cage space when completed in February, the temporary shelter has even less space than the current facility.

The Stark County Sheriff is assuming the duties of the county’s dog warden.The move by Stark County Government this week gives Sheriff George Maier and his deputies the power to impound stray dogs. The Sheriff’s office will also be able to investigate related crimes that may be beyond the dog warden’s jurisdiction.Brant Luther is the Stark County Administrator. He says this move will help the county protect more dogs. 

“A dog warden can only enforce a certain restricted, very small, very narrow part of the Revised Code. The sheriff’s officer can enforce any part of the Ohio Revised Code. Deputy dog wardens and the dog warden in the past have been limited to what they could do at the scene,” he said. Luther said the current dog warden will help the Sheriff oversee the office. The change goes into effect March 1.  

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Emma Keating is a junior journalism major with a minor in political science. Between working for the Kent Stater, TV2 and Cleveland Magazine, she has experience in newspaper, magazine, multimedia and broadcast journalism, though writing will always be her one true love. Keating hopes to use her journalism to give a voice to the voiceless in her future career, eventually moving to Washington, D.C.