In November of 2018 the Dog Warden authority was transferred from the Union County Board of Commissioners to the Union County Sheriff. The 130th Ohio General Assembly changed Chapter 955 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) to allow Counties in the State of Ohio to put the Dog Warden responsibilities under the County Sheriff; this change in the law became effective on Sept. 20, 2013.
By having the Dog Warden position in the Sheriff’s Office, it creates an extra Deputy that would be available primarily during day shift hours. This will allow for additional back up on emergency calls and creates extra visibility in the community, with another marked cruiser on patrol. While on patrol, the Dog Warden can work to identify loose dogs and handle violations when they happen in plain view or complaints called into the Sheriff’s Office. To ensure services are provided during all shifts, the Dog Warden has crossed trained other Deputies to assist with calls for service. The Dog Warden vehicle is equipped with the tools needed to perform the duties of a Dog Warden but also has the markings of a typical Sheriff cruiser.
The Sheriff’s office will work directly with the Union County Auditor’s Office on issuing dog licenses. We will work on enforcement and education of the Public, on the importance of licensing your dog. According to Chapter 955 of the Ohio Revised Code, a dog license is required for all dogs over three months of age. In 2013, multi-year dog license became available. Dog owners now have an option to obtain a One-year license ($18), Three-year license ($54) or a Permanent, non-transferable dog license ($180). There are penalty fees assessed when renewing a yearly dog license after Jan. 31 of the current year. For more information or to obtain a dog license, please contact the Union County Auditor’s Office at (937) 645-3003 or by visiting www.doglicenses.us/OH/Union. Residents may contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 642-4110, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, to speak with someone about dogs running at large or any other dog related concerns. Any information, such as the dog owner’s name and address, dog’s name or a description of the dog would be very helpful information to have when calling.
Union County Dog License fees:
One-year dog license is $18
Three-year dog license is $54.
Permanent nontransferable dog license is $180
If you renew your dog license after January 31st of the current year there will be an $18 late fee plus $18 for the one-year dog license making it a total of $36.
Where you can get your dog license:
-Union County Auditor’s Office, 233 W. Sixth St.
-Online at https://ww.doglicenses.us/OH/Union/
-Union County Humane Society, 16540 County Home Road, (937) 642-6716.