Latest news with #Goddard'sLaw
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Becoming more outraged': Are animal abuse rates going up in Northeast Ohio?
**Related Video Above: Dog survives one of the 'most graphic' animal abuse cases Friendship APL has seen CLEVELAND (WJW) — The dog arrived with gruesome stab wounds to the face and neck with blood matted into her fur. Pieces of Ivy's ear were missing. The team at Northview Animal Clinic in North Ridgeville got to work saving her life. 'Brutal. It was one of the most brutal cases of animal abuse I've seen,' said Greg Willey, executive director of Elyria's Friendship Animal Protective League, whose humane team was called in to help with Ivy. According to a police report, Terry Thomas of Sandusky brought his 8-month-old pit bull puppy to the clinic to get checked out on May 17, reportedly later telling authorities the dog had been punished for relieving herself on the floor. Dog dies after Medina shooting; group seeks answers Perkins Township police arrested Thomas two days later, and he was charged with felony animal cruelty under Goddard's Law. Ivy was signed over to the APL and is currently recovering at a foster home (as seen in the photos below). Thomas was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond due to a medical condition, according to Sandusky Municipal Court, and pleaded not guilty to the fifth-degree felony. Thomas faces a year in jail and a fine of $2,500 if found guilty. Ivy's case is just one of dozens that have been covered by the local news since the start of 2025 in Northeast Ohio. Willey said their humane cases made up 6-8% of their intakes just three years ago. That number has now jumped significantly to more than 23%. But are dog abuse cases going up across the region, state and nation, too? EXACTLY WHAT ARE WE SEEING In May alone, the following took place. A man in Erie County was accused of using a hammer to kill a puppy. Police officers in Mansfield rescued a puppy named Ezekiel — reportedly left behind by evicted owners — that was discovered so near death he was unable to stand or lift his head. In Bedford Heights, a man was indicted after he was reportedly caught on camera throwing and dragging his dog in a stairwell. While Willey with Friendship Animal Protective League said they're taking in more humane cases, Sharon Harvey, President and CEO of the Cleveland Animal Protective League, explained she is not seeing more per se. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman's beloved dog also shot during attack, euthanized 'What we know is there's a lot of it right now, and humane societies certainly are seeing these cases, they are being taken extremely seriously and people are becoming more outraged, which is good,' Harvey said. Harvey said data kept by the Cleveland APL does not reflect an uptick in humane cases. She explained there is certainly a 'feeling' that cases appear to be going up, but that could be attributed to multiple factors. First, she said the public in general seems to be paying attention to animal cruelty cases and speaking out against them. Second, the media continues to report on some of the worst of the worst cases of neglect and abuse, especially when individuals are charged, bringing more awareness. 'I think we've seen some societal shifts,' Harvey said. 'Largely, what we're seeing is a massive awakening. These crimes matter. These lives matter. And many are aware.' There is no statewide database of animal cruelty cases, and a nationwide database was only added to the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System in 2014; it started tracking in 2016. However, the FBI's Crime Data Explorer found only 70% of jurisdictions reported their data by 2022, leading to major gaps in official totals. Add in that many cases of abuse go unreported to police and it's extremely difficult to determine how many animals are abused each year, let alone if totals are on the rise, according to the Humane World for Animals, a nonprofit formerly known as Humane Society of the United States. Still, area animal rights activist Mike Smeck, who is the director of Nitro's Army, said his group is seeing more cases of neglect, starvation and abandonment throughout Northeast Ohio. CURRENT AND PROPOSED LAWS – DO THEY WORK? While Smeck said he didn't have exact numbers, he explained the group dwindled down in the year or two after Goddard's Law — named for FOX 8's legendary meteorologist Dick Goddard, which makes causing serious physical harm to a companion animal a fifth degree felony — was passed in 2016, but that they've roared back into action. Nitro's Army was started to fight for justice for a dog named Nitro that died while staying at a Youngstown kennel in 2008. Nitro's Law, which makes animal abuse at kennels a fifth-degree felony, was passed in 2013. Most recently, the group has held rallies at courthouses in support of Ivy the dog and also Duke, a dog that was chained in a freezing garage earlier this year and had to be euthanized. 'The laws aren't doing anything to deter people,' Smeck said. 'We're trying to make the public aware of the cases, and get the public engaged, and get them to feel the same way we do.' New state legislation, Senate Bill 64, was introduced in February by Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) to upgrade charges for some animal cruelty offenses and require maximum prison terms. The bill is currently in Senate committee. WHAT COULD BE AFFECTING ABUSE RATES Willey with Friendship APL said that it's hard to nail down exactly what's causing more humane cases in Lorain County and why it appears they are not alone. 'We may never know,' he said. But he has theories. 'I think there are two things, the pandemic increase of mental health issues that we're seeing nationally and locally,' Willey said. 'And the other is economic — people are struggling to not lose their homes and other struggles.' During the COVID-19 pandemic, when families were home together with not much to do, more than 23 million households took in new pets, according to data from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Activist Smeck said that people didn't necessarily know what they were getting with a new member of the family. 'Pandemic pups — a lot of people were home and they got pets,' Smeck said. 'And I don't think a lot of these people were prepared to be a pet parent. It's not cheap. You've got flea, tick, and heartworm medication, plus these people who were homebound during COVID, they weren't socializing the dogs.' Harvey with Cleveland APL wondered if overall, people are waiting longer to reach out for help, leading to neglect cases seeming worse. 'We may be seeing more of an intensity,' Harvey said. 'One can speculate that some of that could be due to the economic climate; that people are having more trouble affording their animals.' 'Most of this stuff is just sad and human,' Willey said. 'Most of these people need real help, and the animals do too. People are hurting and the price of things is just going up.' HOW TO HELP Most animal shelters in Northeast Ohio are full or close to full, and advocates don't anticipate that changing anytime soon. Here are some ideas for those looking to help animals and animal rights groups in Northeast Ohio: Adopt a new pet into your home Volunteer with a nonprofit or foster pets in the interim to their forever home Donate to local shelters and humane societies. Even $5 goes a long way to help animals and continue wrap-around service programs that offer financial assistance for those in need Talk to a legislator about animal laws you'd like to see changed Help neighbors who may be experiencing hardship Report major animal abuses you may see in your community. Find a list of Ohio animal rescues and shelters right here. Ohio animal emergency numbers can be found right here. FINDING THE GOOD These horrific acts pile up, and they weigh on those who arrive on the scene or help take in pets that do survive, multiple animal advocates told FOX 8. These people keep showing up to work or to volunteer or to rally even when it hurts too much and they wish they could gather up all of the animals in their arms and save them. Cat abandoned in Garfield Heights home went weeks without food, water; ate insulation to 'stay alive,' police say 'If I didn't believe in hope and change, I wouldn't do this,' Willey with Friendship APL said. In the case of Ivy the dog, he said there's 'plenty of hope.' Ivy is doing well in her foster home and is 'not so timid. She has a lot of love to give,' he said. Willey said that coming into work reminds him that not everything is 'glum.' 'Coming down here, you are brightened that there are so many people dedicated to making the world better,' Willey said. Harvey with the Cleveland APL too, said the group of people she works with are the light. 'The good is our team and seeing our compassion and doing everything in our power to help the animals,' Harvey said. 'To see them go out the door and have an amazing life, that's the good.' 'We can get bogged down by the horrible lows,' Harvey said. 'But there are many, many more happily ever afters.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
No prison for pair who left dog chained in garage
CLEVELAND (WJW) – 'This was not neglect. This was torture.' The State asked for the maximum penalty Thursday for a pair who pleaded guilty to cruelty against companion animals, also known as Goddard's Law. Woman in custody after young mother killed in local park Dazia Chuppa and Trevonte Epps had a dog named Duke in their care who was left in a freezing garage without food or water, according to police records. Prosecutors called it 'brutal and intentional torture' of the dog. 'It is a crime that deserves severe punishment,' prosecutors argued. Dazia Chuppa and Trevonte Epps entered guilty pleas during a hearing in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court last month. Massive egg recall hits Ohio Walmart stores The dog was found on Jan. 4 in Euclid. Duke was chained in a garage and had no food or water, police reports state. 'They were just leaving him there to rot away,' the state argued. 2 campers found dead on remote island in Michigan [Attached video: Previous I-Team coverage of the story] Duke was euthanized due to his critical condition after his rescue. 'He starved to death effectively,' prosecutors said. Protesters gathered to show support for Duke. Prosecutors said Chupa blew protesters a kiss on the way into court, 'showing her indifference' to the seriousness of the case, they said. Epps attorney argued that he has no prior criminal history. 'He has said that there was times he would put water in the garage,' his attorney said. 'My client isn't making excuses today,' the attorney continued. 'He accepts responsibility and is remorseful,' the defense argued. 'I would like to apologize,' Epps said in court. Epps' attorney said his client received threats. Chupa's attorney said she also received threats. 'This is a circumstance when education and training would be the best result,' Chupa's attorney said. 'Certainly not prison.' Chupa is 20 and has no criminal record. 'Yeah I'm sorry that everything has happened,' Chupa said. 'I don't want any more animals and I really had nothing to do with this,' she told the judge. 'Community control will adequately protect the public,' the judge said during sentencing. Both Epps and Chupa were given 1.5 years of community control, under the supervision of the adult probation department. They are also prohibited from owning a companion animal 'indefinitely,' and will be on the Cuyahoga County Animal Abuse registry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Boy seen attacking baby goose at local park: police
[Watch in the player above: What is Goddard's Law?] STOW, Ohio (WJW) — Stow police are looking for a boy accused of killing a baby goose in a disturbing fashion at a local park late last week. A tipster reportedly captured video showing the boy 'harassing and harming' a goose and babies, and shared it with police, according to a Facebook post by Stow police. 'Lawlessness': Hundreds of juveniles cause chaos in Mayfield Heights after church festival It happened at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at Silver Springs Park along Young Road, according to a police report. The juvenile then 'ran to his bike and took off,' reads the report. Officers who responded to the park searched but did not find him. The boy is believed to be 'middle school-aged,' between 10 and 14 years old and was described as having black hair and wearing a light blue shirt and black shorts, according to police. He was seen riding a black bicycle with green highlights or trim, as seen in the photos below: 2 arrested in latest Parma flamingo theft Police are now asking for the public's help in identifying him. 'For the sake of the juvenile it is important that we speak to him and his parents,' reads the Facebook post. Anyone with information is asked to call officer Antonio Johnson at 330-689-5700. Several species of geese — including Canada geese, which can be found in Ohio — are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Ohio law, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The waterfowl commonly nest near ponds and are considered a nuisance species, destroying lawns and vegetation and fouling pond water with feces. Ohioans are urged not to feed geese, as they can become accustomed to humans, leading to attacks on humans and pets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cat abandoned in Garfield Heights home went weeks without food, water; ate insulation to ‘stay alive,' police say
[Watch in the player above: What is Goddard's Law?] GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — Charges are pending against a tenant suspected of abandoning a cat inside an East 90th Street home after being evicted, leaving her without food or water for several weeks. Rescue workers who treated the female tabby told police she was severely underweight, dehydrated and emaciated and would have died within days had they not intervened, according to a Garfield Heights police report. Ohio school board makes unanimous decision to suspend high school Veterinarians found 'non-food items' in Jenna Anne's gastrointestinal tract, according to the report. She appeared to have been 'eating insulation from the walls to stay alive,' it reads. She weighed just less than 4 pounds when she was brought in, and had kidney issues, veterinary records show. The tenant was ordered to leave the home on March 28, or be removed by authorities on March 31, according to an eviction filing in a Garfield Heights court. A neighbor on May 24 told police that the cat could still be seen in the window, though the home had long been unoccupied, reads the report. That day, Euclid Beach Cat Project workers responded to the home and used a trap to catch the cat, according to the report. The rescue is now seeking donations for Jenna Anne's treatment, which could include surgeries, according to a Facebook post. 'She's got some light in her eyes. She's gonna be OK, if she doesn't backslide,' said Vicky Sprouse, Euclid Beach Cat Project director. World's largest rubber duck to waddle into Ohio this weekend Sprouse said the cat naturally passed the inedible things that were in her belly, believed to be peanut shells and pieces of popcorn, and rescue workers don't suspect the cat was actually eating insulation. 'Right now, every day is a little bit better for her,' Sprouse added, crediting the neighbor who made the police report with saving Jenna Anne's life. 'She 100% did not have any more time left. I don't know how she's alive,' she said. Charges are now pending against the cat's owner, a spokesperson for the Garfield Heights prosecutor told FOX 8 News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local man accused of brutally stabbing puppy pleads not guilty
SANDUSKY, Ohio (WJW) — The man accused of brutally stabbing a puppy in Sandusky County pleaded not guilty to felony animal cruelty charges on Thursday morning. Many across the viewing area are outraged and concerned after the suspect was released following just one day in jail. Mike Smeck and Nitro's Ohio Army are pushing for change in Sandusky after the disturbing case of animal cruelty came to light on May 21. 'We want stiffer penalties,' Smeck said. 'You know, people get by with just a slap on the wrist. That's not deterring people from abusing animals.' Verdict in on Brandon King's corruption charges Terry Thomas, 41, was set to appear in court on Thursday. He is accused of viciously stabbing his pit bull puppy, Ivy, in the face after the dog had an accident inside the house. The 8-month-old puppy suffered serious lacerations to her face, extending from her ear to her jaw. Part of her ear was also missing. Thomas is facing felony animal cruelty charges under Goddard's Law (F5). He was not present in Judge Erich O'Brien's courtroom but pleaded not guilty through his public defender. A preliminary hearing has not been set. 'I don't see this getting delayed very long,' O'Brien said. 'I would anticipate it getting reset fairly quickly. Exactly when, that's going to kind of depend upon my assignment clerk, but hopefully sooner rather than later. But once again, him physically not being here isn't a big deal. As I tell people, I need the lawyer. I didn't need him.' FOX 8 has learned that Thomas has a violent criminal history, including prior animal-related offenses dating back to 2021. A misdemeanor animal cruelty case in 2022 was set for trial but never moved forward. He has also served time in prison for robbery, domestic violence, drug possession and other offenses. Thomas was released after O'Brien issued a recognizance bond. Ohio troopers nab speeders going nearly double the limit 'Due to a serious medical condition, that's the reason his bond was adjusted,' O'Brien said. The Friendship Animal Protective League said Ivy is thankfully recovering after life-saving emergency surgery. 'Her foster says she is giving kisses, allowing belly rubs and loves to be held like a baby. She is super sweet and smart. Her stitches came out today as well,' Shelby Dowdell, communications and public relations manager for the Friendship APL, said. Still, Nitro's Ohio Army wants change—specifically for Thomas' bond conditions to include a restriction that he not have a companion animal. 'I don't see why I can't make it a condition of his bond,' O'Brien said. 'Let me review that. If I haven't, then I certainly will.' Thomas' next court proceeding is expected to be scheduled within the next 15 days. FOX 8 will continue to follow this story closely. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
