Stray Dogs
If you have an incident concerning stray dogs, call the Lucas County Dog Warden at 419-213-2800. If the incident involves animal neglect or abuse, call the Toledo Humane Society at 419-891-0705 - press 0 to report cruelty.
Licensing
All dogs over 3 months of age must have a new license every year by January 31st. The license must be purchased immediately after you acquire a dog. Every registered dog must at all times wear a valid license tag. If a dog is wearing a license and is turned into the Dog Warden's office, the owner will be notified either in person, by phone or certified mail. Without the license the impounded dog may be sold or destroyed after 3 days.
You may purchase a dog license at the Lucas County Auditor's Office, Once Government Center from 9AM - 5PM Monday - Friday. Or you may purchase the license at the Lucas County Dog Pound, 410 S. Erie Street, Toledo from 9AM - 4PM. Also several other branch offices sell licenses.
Leash Requirement
All dogs must be physically confined or restrained on the owner, keeper, or harborer's property in the following ways:
- Leash
- Tether
- Supervision of a person
- Adequate fence
- Secure enclosure
- Secure confinement must prevent escape
Harboring a Dangerous or Vicious Dog
No person, organization or corporation shall keep, harbor or provide sustenance for more than once vicious dog. Municipal Code 505.14 (Limitations On Vicious Dogs).
Your dog is described as dangerous if, without provocation, it has chased or approached a person in a threatening manner. Or if the dog has attempted to bite or endanger some person either:
A. While the dog is off the owner's property and not under reasonable control of some person.
-or-
B. While the dog is not physically restrained, or confined in a locked pen with a top, locked in fenced yard, or other lock enclosure which has a top.
Your dog is described as vicious if, without provocation, it has killed or seriously injured a person, caused injury (less than serious or killing) to any person, has killed another dog, or belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog.
Dog Fighting
Dog fighting is a felony in the State of Ohio and goes hand-in-hand with violence, weapons, and illegal activity. Some common characteristics of dog fighting are:
- Tires or other items suspended from trees to provide jaw strengthening activities.
- Ownership of several adult dogs and/or puppies that are confirmed by thick chains with or without weights on their collars.
- A "cat mill" which confines a cat, rabbit or other small animals and encourages the dog to chase it may be present.
- s a reward for its hard work, the dog will be permitted to capture and kill the animal.
- People of all ages coming and going in groups from a residence or other site, some with dogs.
For more information on Dog Fighting or to report any suspected dog fighting, call any one of the following agencies:
Toledo Police ..................................................................... 9-1-1
CALL City HALL ................................................................. 419-936-2020
Crime Stoppers ................................................................. 419-255-1111
Lucas County Dog Warden ..............................................419-213-2800
Your report will be kept confidential to the maximum extent.
Dog Bites
If you are bitten by a dog:
- If you live in the City of Toledo call the Health Department's Animal Bite Investigator at 419-213-4078. If you are unable to contact the Health Department or Dog Warden, Call the Toledo Police Department. \
- Wash your wound immediately with soap and water, then go directly to a hospital emergency room as the possibility of rabies.
- Try to watch where the dog goes and try to find out who the owner is. If it is a stray dog call the Lucas County Dog Warden at 419-213-2800.
To obtain dog biting prevention tips you may contact the Lucas County Dog Warden at 419-213-2800