Ohio SPCA » Featured Stories

Court Issues Opinion and Judgement Entry in Ohio SPCA vs. Harrison County

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:55:49 +0000

Ohio Court of Appeals has issued its Opinion and Judgement Entry in the 2010 lawsuit filed
by the Ohio SPCA against the Commissioners and Dog Warden of Harrison County.

The lawsuit, filed in August 2010, was based on alleged violations of the Ohio Revised Code in
the County’s operation of the Harrison County Dog Pound.

The Opinion and Judgment, which grants a Writ of Mandamus, requires that the Harrison County
Board of Commissioners “make and maintain records as is required by Revised Code Chapter
955.” A weekly report of all dogs seized, impounded, redeemed, and destroyed must be
submitted by the dog warden in writing to the Board of Commissioners. The Court further ordered
a writ of mandamus as to unnecessary killings due to improper records. “Every dog must be accounted
for from the day it is impounded until it is adopted, sent to rescue, claimed by owner,
or euthanized,” states Teresa Landon, director of the Ohio SPCA.

Additionally, a writ of mandamus was issued requiring certified mail notification to owners of
registered dogs seized. The previous practice of making phone calls to owners of licensed dogs is
not equivalent to certified mail as required by law. Dogs seized wearing tags must be held for 14
days.

The Court said that it could not find that the present conditions of the pound were “unsuitable,”
based on photographs taken of the dog pound after it was cleaned (and empty) dated January 10,
2011, as well as photographs dated June 24, 2011, and an affidavit from the current dog warden.
However, the Court stated that, “…given Respondents acknowledgment of practices that
occurred under prior wardens, some of which may very well constitute unsuitability, we caution
respondents to maintain a suitable pound or a writ could be issued against them in future
litigation.”

A big win in this case is that the Court ruled that 959.131 does apply to dog wardens. “A suitable
dog pound must be a place that would not constitute cruelty to the dog as defined in R.C.
959.131.” John A. Bell, attorney for the Ohio SPCA, states, “County operated facilities are held
to the same standards as everyone else regarding animal cruelty and neglect. Dogs must be kept
in conditions that do not violate the Animal Cruelty and Companion Animal Cruelty provisions in
the Ohio Revised Code, free from unnecessary pain and suffering.”

Due to a dog owner’s rights of redemption, the Court also issued a Writ of Manadmus requiring
the commissioners, “to post the pound’s operational hours, including those times when someone is
normally there, and phone number.” Landon states, “The Harrison County Commissioner’s failure
in the past to have definite operational hours increased the possibility of animals that could
otherwise have been redeemed or rescued being euthanized.”

According to Landon, “The Harrison County Dog Pound will require continued monitoring to
ensure they comply with the findings of the Court. The Opinion and Judgement Entry serves as a
clear message to commissioners in other Ohio counties that county dog pounds must follow the
Ohio Revised Code and that humane conditions must be maintained.”

Copies of the full Opinion and Judgment Entry are available through Mr. Bell upon request.

http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/dog-pound-lawsuit-settled/nFpxb/

Be an Ohio SPCA Farm Friend!

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:33:26 +0000

The Ohio SPCA has started a new program for supporters: Farm Friends. For $10.00 a month you can help feed, shelter, and provide veterinary care for the over 100 animals on the Ohio SPCA Farm Sanctuary. This is a wonderful way at little cost to help the animals we have rescued and those to arrive in the future. The option to sponsor an individual animal will still be available. With enough Farm Friends, our sanctuary will grow.

Grace Survives Surgery at Five Weeks Old

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:04:56 +0000

Grace, a five-week-old kitten was found outside an apartment on the north side of Columbus. After picking her up, we knew this little girl was in trouble. Both eyes were severely infected and it was obvious that Grace would lose at least one eye. Grace was examined and treated by Dr. Pam Jones. One eye had ruptured. Grace was given antibiotics in hopes of holding off on surgery, until this little girl had gained some weight. Surgery is extremely risky on such a tiny kitten. Unfortunately, the eye began to enlarge and bleed, so Grace was immediately scheduled for surgery. We are happy to announce that all went well, and Grace is now resting and recovering at the farm sanctuary. She will be available for adoption when she is fully recovered at the age of 8 to 10 weeks old.

Emergency Pig Rescue

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:21:53 +0000

On October 8, the Ohio SPCA rushed to rescued three Pot Belly pigs just one day before they would have lost their lives. Susie Q and Pumba are extremely overweight and not in good shape. Moo Moo, a teacup pig, is a real sweetheart. All three had been fed dog food all their lives and were living in a less than satisfactory environment. Susie Q, Pumba, and Moo Moo are now clean, safe, warm, and properly fed. The pigs are adjusting to their new home and Susie Q and Pumba have already lost some weight. Once Moo Moo is spayed, she will be available for adoption.

Susie Q and Pumba will remain on the farm sanctuary. For just $25.00 a month, you can sponsor Susie Q and Pumba and be a part of their lives.

Donations can be made through Paypal (ohiospca@frontier.com), snail mail, or monthly through JustGive.org – https://www.justgive.org/basket?acton=donate&ein=31-1077151Sir

Needed: Winter Hay for the Sanctuary Animals

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:02:51 +0000

Winter is fast approaching and we will use approximately 1200 bales of hay to feed the animals on the farm sanctuary. Hay is like gold to us, as we are feeding many goats, horses, rabbits, sheep, and cows. Each bale of hay will cost $3.50. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us meet this great need.

Donations can be made via Paypal at ohiospca@frontier.com (or hit the donate button on our website), or by snail mail: Ohio SPCA, P.O. Box 546, Grove City, Ohio 43123

Joy – Abused and Neglected, but Safe Now

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:53:07 +0000

At midnight on September 9th, Joy was rescued by the Ohio SPCA. She was found running as a stray in Fairfield County. Emaciated, full of parasites, hooves overgrown, and with an udder full of pus, Joy was found just in time. After a brief stay at OSU Vet Hospital, Joy returned to the Ohio SPCA Farm Sanctuary where she is safe and loved. No longer will she be abused or neglected or bred over and over. Joy has already gained a little weight and the hair on her face is growing back. And… her udder is drawing up and looking much better. She is skittish, but curious about those providing her care. Joy’s journey to full health will take months, but she is on her way.

Help the Ohio SPCA When You Shop at Kroger

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:10:05 +0000

The Ohio SPCA is enrolled in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Kroger gives us money when you choose the Ohio Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Animals as the beneficiary of your Kroger Rewards Card. The number you need to use to designate your purchases for OHIO SPCA is 84801. So if you shop at Kroger – take less than 5 minutes to register and select us as your charity. This does not affect your fuel points.

http://www.kroger.com/mykroger/016/community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx

The Stackhouse Barn – A Dream Come True

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:21:59 +0000

The interior of the Stackhouse Barn is now complete! The animals have moved in and their new home is warm, dry, and safe. We are now working on the electric, water, and dedication plaques. Thank you, Diana Stackhouse from Arkansas and all our Facebook friends who chipped in to helped make our dream of a new barn come true.

Diana – you are an angel!

We are still in need of gutters and gravel to go around the barn. Donations can be sent through Paypal: ohiospca@frontier.com or snail mailed to:

Ohio SPCA
P.O. Box 546
Grove City, Ohio
43123

These tiny kittens were dumped like trash in Williamsport, Ohio. They are safe now!

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:16:25 +0000

On September 8, the Ohio SPCA received a late evening call about four 9 or 10 day old kittens abandoned in Williamsport, Ohio. They were found in a box next to a dumpster. By midnight, the kittens had been transported to the Ohio SPCA Farm Sanctuary and were receiving replacement formula. Although all of the kittens did not survive, those that did are now with a nursing mother and during fine. Thank you, Pets Without Parents for responding to our need, so these little ones could once again have a mother.

Ohio SPCA Receives 2011 Tundra – Thank you, Toyota

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:59:50 +0000

On Monday, August 29, Toyota West in Columbus, Ohio presented the Ohio SPCA with our new 2011 Toyota Tundra! The Ohio SPCA was selected as a finalist in the 100 Cars for Good Program. On May 15, 2011 we competed against against four other organizations on Facebook and won!

A pickup truck has been on the Ohio SPCA’s Farm Sanctuary wish list for many years. Receiving a brand new Toyota Tundra is a dream come true. The Toyota Tundra will be a lifeline for so many animals in need and will make farm work so much easier for volunteers. The excitement and anticipation had been building for months and now the wait is over. The truck has already been used many times for transporting hay, lumber, and animals in need of rescue or veterinary care.

Thank you, Jeremy Francis (Toyota West General Manager) and Associates. The bed liner you added will protect our new truck bed!

Facebook friends – We couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for voting for the Ohio SPCA and for your continued support.