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Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken announced yesterday that he had asked the Toledo Area Humane Society to help reduce euthanasia rates and boost adoptions at the county dog pound.

“The proposal would provide an opportunity for the humane society to review all nonvicious dogs impounded in the dog warden department after the 3 [day] and 14-day holding periods provided by law,” Mr. Gerken said in a statement. “After the review, the dog warden would transfer all dogs to the humane society that the society believes are adoptable.”

But the request may be premature.

John Dinon, the humane society’s executive director, said his group doesn’t have the resources for that kind of commitment.

Last week, an advisory committee criticized the dog warden’s office for lacking standard operating procedures for killing dogs, medical treatment, tranquilizer darting, and other routine matters.

“The Toledo Area Humane Society has had a long-standing partnership with the dog warden and we have offered to help with their assessments of what is an adoptable dog,” Mr. Dinon said.

“What Commissioner Gerken is proposing is that the humane society take total responsibility,” he said. “That is something that we would consider, but we would not be able to do that with our current level of staffing and funding. It’s a big commitment.”

Dog Warden Tom Skeldon said he would welcome the humane society’s input.

“We are willing to partner with them to say these are the dogs we think are good for adoption and those that are not good for adoption,” Mr. Skeldon said. “If they felt a dog was good for adoption, but we did not, we could accept that too and we wouldn’t hold back on dogs they feel are good for adoption.”

He added: “It’s understood we are not going to be adopting out vicious dogs — dogs that have bitten people.”

Mr. Dinon said the humane society does not euthanize so-called “adoptable dogs,” which means dogs that have met the group’s criteria for adoption. He also said the society is not overcrowded and accepts dogs from Lucas and four other counties.

Mr. Gerken said he made the suggestion to change the status quo.

“Mine was a suggestion and not a demand,” he said. “I thought it was appropriate to open up the conversation.”

Before becoming eligible for adoption, humane society dogs are examined by a veterinarian, tested by two staff members for bad or aggressive temperament, and observed while being fed, walked, and playing.

Mr. Gerken said the humane society seems to have a “broader view” of what makes a dog adoptable than the dog warden.

Commissioner Ben Konop said he spoke with Mr. Skeldon Thursday and was not told Mr. Gerken would suggest an expanded partnership.

“It’s definitely an idea that’s worth talking about and I’ve gotten the idea rolling,” Mr. Konop said. “This is a way from being a done deal. … We don’t want to have a situation where they are outsourcing euthanasia just to make us look good.”

Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said the commissioners are pushing for an aggressive adoption policy.

“It could be achieved through a strong contract with the humane society,” she said.

On Wednesday, Mr. Skeldon vowed to “redouble” his efforts to boost adoptions but said there was little more he could do to match acceptable dogs with would-be owners.

Under Ohio law, the warden is allowed to euthanize strays and dogs without licenses after holding them at the shelter for three days. Licensed dogs must be kept a minimum of 14 days.

If space is available, dogs deemed eligible for adoption may be kept longer before they are euthanized, Mr. Skeldon said.

The dog warden kills far more dogs each year than he deems fit for adoption. According to dog warden records, 2,483 dogs were killed last year while 232 were adopted from the pound and 260 dogs were turned over to the Toledo Humane Society for adoption.

Contact Ignazio Messina at:imessina@theblade.comor 419-724-6171.

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