Animal Cruelty on the Rise: Help Us Help Them
Warning: This post contains graphic content related to animal cruelty. Reader discretion is advised.
It seems every month we hear about horrific cruelty to animals in the media in Ohio this year. From an ESA cat freezing to death on Summit Lake to more than a hundred farm animals being hoarded by a veterinarian in Sandusky, animal cruelty must be stopped.
The Evidence
In January, the Humane World for Animals rescued more than 400 wild animals from inhumane conditions at a fur and urine farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. The farm, which operated with no government oversight, bred and confined foxes, coyotes, wolf-dog hybrids, opossums, skunks, and a wild boar for their fur and bodily waste – with a permit from ODNR but without oversight authority, as Ohio’s laws did not provide for that. Many wild animals were suffering from severe malnutrition, dehydration, and untreated injuries. With no federal or state laws governing the welfare of these animals, facilities like the one in Ohio continue to operate unchecked until tragedy forces intervention.
In February, a heartbreaking case of animal cruelty shook the Akron, Ohio community. Hazle, a beloved emotional support cat, was found frozen inside a pet carrier on Summit Lake nearly a month after she went missing. No animal should suffer like Hazle. The Akron Police are actively investigating Hazle’s death, reviewing security footage and looking for leads.
In March, over a hundred companion and farm animals were removed from hoarding on a veterinarian's property in Sandusky. The rescue, led by the Friendship Animal Protective League (FAPL), discovered sheep with severely overgrown hooves, many underweight or ill, and multiple dead animals on the property. In total, 201 live animals—including sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and geese—were rescued. 29 deceased animals, including lambs and rabbits, were also recovered for necropsy.
In April, a man from Green, Ohio, was arrested after allegedly cutting off the tails of three newborn kittens. According to officials, the dispute escalated earlier that day when Stalnaker reportedly sent threatening text messages to the woman, claiming he would harm a litter of kittens—just nine days old—and their mother. Hours later, he returned and threw three severed kitten tails at the victim. Animal abuse is the red flag that family violence is escalating, and if you can save an animal, you can often save a family.
Be a Voice for the Voiceless
These horrible cases of animal cruelty serve as a powerful reminder: If you see something, say something. Public vigilance can uncover cruelty—and save lives. If you see animals in need, contact your local authorities using our Where to Report Cruelty statewide directory.
How You Can Help
Please contact your Ohio state senator and ask them to support S.B. 64, which would amend and add to Goddard's Law increased penalties for violating companion animal cruelty offenses and prohibit a felony animal abuser from owning a companion animal under certain circumstances. Contact your state senator using OAA's action alert on S.B. 64.
Sources
https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/animal-neglect-farm-rescue-ohio/
