TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH - A new Trumbull County Dog Warden was announced at Thursday's county commissioners meeting.

According to Commissioner Denny Malloy, Matthew Dubon has been selected to become the new dog warden for the county.

Dubon succeeds former dog warden Michelle Goss, who left the role in December 2025 for new employment.

Commissioner Malloy says Dubon is a county local of Mecca Township and is a former Air Force dog handler, where he oversaw hundreds of dogs used within all branches of the military.

Malloy says there were nearly 90 applications for the dog warden position, and commissioners interviewed approximately 10 of those applicants and finally selected Dubon for the role.

Commissioner Rick Hernandez tells 21 News they are very happy with the decision in choosing Dubon, and are excited to begin working with him.

Dubon began the position on January 26.

During an interview with Lindsay McCoy on 21 News at 5, Dubon states that one of his goals is to help train the dogs that he comes into contact with.

"A lot of them are, when they're in this situation [and] environment, it can be life-altering to them. So, I do have experience training dogs with basic commands and stuff like that, and I'd like to interpret that with the day-to-day doings here with these dogs," said Dubon.

Other goals include working with the county to create and develop more shelters for dogs, caring for the dogs that the agency takes in and working with other agencies.

You can watch the full interview with Dubon here.

Looking ahead, he and the Trumbull County Commissioners will choose the deputy dog warden. Commissioner Malloy says they have three potential candidates lined up, but want Dubon to participate in the selection.

Commissioner Malloy says they will choose a deputy dog warden in the next few weeks.