Justice for Ishe: Advocates Push for Animal Cruelty Charge After Amherst Crash
Jessica Paige, 65, was walking near her home with her dog Ishe when police say a driver traveling the wrong way while impaired struck them. Paige suffered catastrophic injuries including a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and extensive trauma. Ishe, her beloved companion, was killed at the scene.
Paige has remained hospitalized since the incident and continues to undergo treatment and recovery.
The driver, 34-year-old Sean Bankston of Amherst, was initially charged with several offenses related to the crash, including aggravated vehicular assault. However, the death of Ishe was not originally included as a criminal charge. Bankston has two previous OVI convictions.
Animal advocates in Lorain County worked to change that.
Friends of the Lorain County Dog Kennel and the Lorain County Pit Crew researched similar cases and identified a precedent from Dayton, Ohio where Goddard’s Law—Ohio’s felony companion animal cruelty statute (Ohio Revised Code 959.131)—was applied after a cat was killed during a police pursuit.
Using that case as precedent, advocates submitted a letter to the county prosecutor and circulated a petition that gathered more than 600 signatures asking prosecutors to apply the law in Ishe’s case.
Their efforts succeeded.
A Lorain County grand jury later indicted Bankston on felony cruelty to companion animals, along with several additional charges including felonious assault, aggravated vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident, and tampering with evidence.
Advocates say the additional charge is about accountability and recognizing the value of companion animals.
For Jessica Paige and her family, the loss of Ishe is deeply intertwined with the trauma of the crash itself. While Paige continues to recover, her two cats remain at home being cared for by neighbors and family members who visit multiple times each day.
The case continues to move through the court system as the community follows closely.
Take Action
Cases like this highlight why strong animal protection laws — and meaningful penalties — matter. Ohio Animal Advocates encourages supporters to speak up for animals by helping strengthen protections across the state.
1. Take action today by submitting an action alert and asking legislators to support increased penalties for animal cruelty.
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Source: 19 News
