Humane Investigations

The Union County Humane Society has three Humane Agents who are available to investigate humane cases in Union County.

The most common question we hear is, when do you call the dog warden, and when do you call a humane agent? The answer that is easiest to remember is this: Dog wardens protect people from dogs. I.E. Dogs running at large, vicious and aggressive dogs, etc. Humane Agents protect animals from people. I.E. domestic animals that are left without food, water, or shelter. Please understand that we cannot discuss cases that are under investigation due to legal reasons.

We are limited to what we can do, and our limitations come from the Ohio Revised Code Section 959 which can be found here. If you are unsure whether you should call or not, we urge you to err on the side of safety and call us.

Humane Reports can be filed by calling the Humane Society at 937-642-6716. Messages are checked at the beginning and the end of the day and the phones are usually answered during open hours unless we are too busy with guests at the front desk. If you believe that time cannot wait please call the local police or sheriff's department to make a report, as they have our personal cellphone numbers and have access to someone from the Humane Society.

The Union County Humane Society does not receive any state, federal, or local funding to provide Humane Investigations or to employ our Humane Agents. These efforts are supported directly through donations and incorporated into our overall budget. If you would like to help contribute to this wonderful cause, please click on the "Click here to Donate" button to your right, or send in your contribution to: The Union County Humane Society Attn: Humane Investigations P.O. Box 414, Marysville, OH 43040

What are the 3 things all dogs need to have at all times?

1. Access to shelter

2. Access to clean water

3. Access to food

Please note, that we consider this the BARE MINIMUM based on the laws provided in the Ohio Revised Code. While there are many cases where you may see an animal that is not being treated the way you would treat your animals at home, that does not necessarily constitue inhumane treatment by the letter of the law. We are bound to adhere to the law, but we can always send our humane agents out to educate the public in hopes that they will change their practices even if it is technically not illegal.