Ujvagi not amused; pound chief renames 3 pooches

4/21/2010

Never let it be said the Lucas County Dog Warden's office has no sense of humor.

Pound manager Bonnie Mitchell came up with innovative names for three of her impounded dogs that are candidates for adoption: She named them after The Blade's publisher and editor-in-chief, a Blade reporter assigned to cover the ongoing county dog controversy, and a county commissioner who is pushing for a more dog-friendly dog pound.

An English bulldog was named "BlockHead" for publisher John Robinson Block; a Lab mix was given the name "JC," after reporter JC Reindl, and another Lab mix was called "Benjamin" after Commissioner Ben Konop.

County Administrator Peter Ujvagi said he was not amused even though the names were given in a light-hearted moment and never were official.

"We expect a higher level of professionalism from people who work for the county," he said, adding that the matter was under investigation.

Mr. Block last night took the naming in stride, pointing out that as a Yale University graduate he had no problem with a bulldog named after him because the mascot of his alma mater is a bulldog.

"If it helps this animal get a nice home I'm thrilled," the newspaper's publisher and editor-in-chief said.

In any event, the dogs have been renamed, according to Mr. Ujvagi.

BlockHead is now Dino, JC is Lilly, and Benjamin is Paddy.

- Carl Ryan