News Archives 2004

Puppies Begin Rehabilitation Process

www.wbns10tv.com – August 30, 2004

Hundreds of dogs taken from a Pike County puppy mill weekend are on the road to recovery Monday morning.The cocker spaniels were brought the Gahanna Animal Hospital for treatment over the weekend.
Veterinarians say the four male puppies, all brothers, were malnourished, severely under weight and didn’t know how to respond to human contact.

The two adult female cocker spaniels acted the same way and were also under weight, starving and needed medical attention.

Dr. Joy Harkins says it’s hard to see dogs brought to her in this condition.

“[I am] more saddened and disappointed. Unfortunately these things happen and people are more interested in making money than caring about animals, which are really the innocent people on earth that need to be looked after,” says Harkins.

Since the dogs are still part of an investigation, they won’t be available for foster homes for a couple of weeks. If you do want to become a foster parent, contact the Ohio SPCA.


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Animal Abuse Allegedly Ignored In Ohio County
www.nbc4i.com – August 2004

Sheriff: Too Many Calls, Not Enough Manpower

Dogs, cats and horses are starving to death. They are dying from infection and slowly wasting away, NewsChannel 4 ‘s Monique Ming Laven reported. Some believe owners and some law enforcement agencies are to blame.

“Basically there’s a lot of abuse and neglect that’s just overlooked, ignored,” said Terry Landon of the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Landon has tried to save countless animals in Scioto County, but they didn’t survive.

Scioto County Sheriff Marti Donini said his office already receives more animal abuse calls than it can handle.

Landon remembered the call that broke her heart last year. Pepper the dog had no use of her hind legs.

“She was forced to drag herself around over metal and rock and dirt,” Landon said.

Landon informed officials that Pepper’s owner was not giving the dog adequate care. The sheriff’s office had received several complaints about the owner before, Ming Laven reported.

“I’m kind of impressed with the fact that we went out and we actually did some talking, talked to the woman and examined the animals,” Donini said.

The sheriff’s office said they were satisfied with the condition of Pepper until NewsChannel 4 showed them a picture of Pepper’s hindquarters, taken after the inspection.

Pepper was taken to the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, but her infections were too severe. Landon was present when Pepper was put down.

There is concern about why there was no follow up regarding Pepper, Ming Laven reported.

“We’re up to 3,000 reports in this county,” Donini said. “We’re talking about everything from murders to broken windows.”

Donini said he sympathizes with the case, but his office only has a limited number of bodies. “When animal abuse is ignored or fines are dropped, it sends a clear message to the public that this is OK,” Landon said.

The county dog warden never returned NewsChannel 4 ‘s calls.

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