State v. Joshua Maldonado, a case we prosecuted for the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Maldonado was found guilty of one count of animal cruelty, a first degree misdemeanor, for the injury to his dog “Diamond.” In this case, witnesses reported either seeing or hearing the Defendant beat Diamond. When the APL responded to the complaints,…
State v. Howard Dowdell, a case we prosecuted for the Humane Society of Greater Akron. Dowdell was found guilty of 3 counts of companion animal cruelty in a case alleging neglect of 6 dogs in his care. The veterinary report noted dogs that were very thin, dehydrated and/or infested with whipworms and hookworms. One stool…
State v. Vicki Cornell, a case we helped prosecute for the Williams County Humane Society, co-counseling with the Bryan City Prosecutor’s Office. Cornell was found guilty of 24 counts of companion animal cruelty relating to 48 dogs kept on her residential property in Edon, Ohio. All were allegations of severe neglect. Some animals were extremely…
Angels for Animals is presenting a seminar: “Animal Cruelty in Ohio, 2014” in Canfield, Ohio on Friday, May 16, 2014, starting at 9 a.m. Attorney Jeff Holland, who has prosecuted animal cruelty cases for 23 years, will be the presenter. The course is open to law enforcement officers, including humane agents, attorneys and others interested…
State v. Nathan Vapenik, a case we prosecuted for the Medina County SPCA, jointly investigated with Brunswick Animal Control. Defendant was found guilty of two counts of companion animal cruelty for keeping two emaciated, dehydrated dogs in his car. He tied their leashes to the steering wheel, and left the windows cracked open. The dogs…
State v. Marcus Ranson, a case we prosecuted in the Painesville Municipal Court for the Lake Humane Society. Ranson was found guilty of two counts of companion animal cruelty regarding two dogs. Both were assessed as Body Condition Score 1. Both were surrendered to the Lake Humane Society, and have fully recovered. Ranson is prohibited from…
HB 274 “Goddard’s Law” has been assigned to the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee. A sponsor hearing must be scheduled for this Bill to move on. HB 274: • Prohibits any person from knowingly causing “serious physical harm” to a companion animal. • Enhances the penalty for any person knowingly torturing, tormenting, needlessly mutilating or maiming,…
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton hosts: J. Jeffrey Holland Holland & Muirden, Attorneys at Law Join us for an informational session on animal cruelty and neglect laws and cases. Topics include: • Ohio’s Primary Animal Cruelty Laws • Notice of Seizure and the Probable Cause Hearing • Dog Liability Laws – Civil & Criminal…
Attorney Janis Zachman recently attended a class on psychiatric disorders in children. The curriculum included information on internalizing/emotional disorders (such as anxiety or mood disturbances), externalizing/behavioral disorders (such as disruptive disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and trauma based disorders (such as reactive attachment), along with proven treatments. The class was in fulfillment of her…
Have you ever been concerned about what would happen to your pet if something unexpected happened to you? Ohio law now allows pet owners to create a trust to provide for the care and maintenance of pets if the owner can no longer care for them, be it due to death or other incapacitation. This…