Animal complaints are valid if animals are being kept in a manner which creates a public health nuisance. Normal odors produced by farm animals in agricultural or rural areas do not create a health nuisance issue. A public health nuisance can be created if an excessive accumulation of animal waste is producing an abnormally offensive odor which can be detected on a neighboring property, or if water pollution is occurring because of animal waste. Water pollution could occur as the result of storm water runoff carrying animal waste into a stream, or from animal waste being improperly disposed of in a waterway.
Animal waste may be properly disposed by placing it in proper waste containers, and setting it out for pickup. Stable sweepings and horse manure may be taken to a registered Class III composting facility for disposal.
The Health District cannot address issues with wild or stray animals. Wild animals such as raccoons, opossums, deer, mice, and even rats are normal inhabitants of the outdoor environment; their activities when out-of-doors are not regulated. Stray cats may be captured alive by the property owner, and taken to an animal shelter to be euthanized. Cat populations may also be controlled by spay/neutering.
Harborage for wild animals is not regulated. Brush, dead trees, or debris could provide harborage for animals, but if generated on-site would not be in violation of regulations. Harborage does not attract animals without a readily available food source, but animals may be attracted to a place where garbage is being improperly stored or disposed, and in such cases the Health District will take action.
The Health District does not have a curb law. Scattered dog feces may be a hazard for pedestrians, but may not necessarily create a health nuisance issue. A concentration of feces great enough to create an odor would need to be present before it could become a health issue.
The Health District does not investigate animal cruelty complaints. If animals are not creating a health nuisance, but are being kept in a manner which may be harmful to them, contact the Clermont County Humane Society.
The Health District does not regulate the number or kinds of animals being kept, but these issues may be regulated by your township or municipal government.
Road kill is not regulated, and the Health District does not require removal of dead animals, although it is recommended. The Clermont County Engineers Office will remove a dead animal upon request if it is located on a county road, or county right-of-way. The Engineers Office number is (513)732-8857.
If a dead animal is found on a private lot, then proper disposal is the property owner’s responsibility. Animal removal services are available through the telephone directory. On-site burial is allowed. Small animals may be disposed of in the trash. Attempting to reduce the odor from a decaying animal by covering it with lime will probably not work.
The improper disposal of an animal carcass would be a violation of Public Health Nuisance Regulation 6-04, and possibly of the state open dumping regulations.
File a complaint online.
Updated: 05/11/2009