With the temperature in the teens for the next few days, we’re sending out a reminder about shelter requirements for companion animals pursuant to state code! Cleveland enacted new animal neglect ordinances in December 2014, which were then enacted by several other localities. Those ordinances provide bright-line rules about what qualifies as appropriate shelter and…
State v. Patricia Floyd, a case we prosecuted which was investigated by Animal Charity of Ohio. Floyd pled guilty to 4 counts of animal cruelty for neglecting 7 horses. Two had extremely long hooves, several were dehydrated or excessively thin, and all were living in filthy conditions. Horses require regular hoof trimming by a qualified…
State v. Christopher Overton, a case we prosecuted in Youngstown investigated by Animal Charity of Ohio, the Humane Society which serves Mahoning County. Mr. Overton had three dogs. Two were in good condition. The third had an extreme untreated skin condition which caused large sections of skin to be red, raw and bloody. Blood and…
State v. Robert Hibberd, a case we prosecuted for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Hibberd was convicted today of animal abandonment. Here is the after photograph of his horse, named Treasure. Several months after seizure, the horse was in excellent weight and condition with ordinary care. Judge Riley of the Montgomery County Municipal court…
State of Ohio v. Travis Wargo and Cari Welk, a case prosecuted for Lake Humane Society. Wargo and Welk both pled guilty to animal neglect. The case involved two cats, Liam and Logan, and a dog, Lily, that were kept in deplorable conditions.The animals suffered from various untreated medical conditions. While the other animals were…
State of Ohio v. Sheri (Shari) Gilbert, a case prosecuted for Lake Humane Society. Gilbert pled guilty to all 10 counts of animal neglect on the day of trial. 24 animals, including dogs, cats, parrots, a guinea pig, and ferrets, were seized from Gilbert’s home. The animals were kept in deplorable conditions and suffered from…
State of Ohio v. Robert Dunning, a case prosecuted for the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Dunning was charged with one count of companion animal neglect for the starvation of his dog, Buster. Buster was found outside with filthy water and no food. He was emaciated and severely dehydrated. This case occurred prior to the enactment…
State v. Sandra Rae Paul, a case we prosecuted for the Loudonville Police, with help from the Humane Society of Ashland County Ohio, was ound guilty of animal cruelty yesterday, and taken to jail. The evidence showed that the chickens were left in the van for at least 7.5 hours on a day when temperatures…
State of Ohio v. Sandra Kay Benedum, a case prosecuted for Pawsibilities Humane Society of Greater Akron and also handled by the Summit County Dog Warden. Benedum, 70, pled guilty to two counts of companion animal neglect regarding 1 dog named Tibet. Tibet had multiple open wounds filled with hundreds of maggots when Benedum brought…
Governor John Kasich recently signed three important bills into law that concern protections for this state’s animals. Here is a brief summary of each bill: (1) SB 215: Grants good faith rescuers immunity from civil liability for damages incurred while using necessary force to enter a locked motor vehicle to help an animal or minor…