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When Domestic Violence Turns Deadly and Why Protecting Pets Saves Lives
A devastating tragedy in Pennsylvania this September underscores a heartbreaking truth: domestic violence often endangers not only people but also the animals they love.
According to New York Times, five police officers were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call in York County. Three officersβSergeant Detective Cody Becker, Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, and Detective Mark Bakerβwere killed when the gunman, who had been stalking his ex-girlfriend, opened fire. Investigators later discovered that he had killed her dog before the shooting.
Ohio Takes a Step Forward in Ending Animal Testing
After years of advocacy, Ohio is making progress toward reducing and eventually replacing animal testing in research labs β and Ohio Animal Advocatesβ Executive Director, Vicki Deisner, was featured in a recent Spectrum News interview discussing this important development.
FDA Encourages Alternatives to Animal Testing in Sunscreen Research
Sunscreen is more than a summer essentialβitβs a vital tool for preventing skin cancer. Because so many people use sunscreen daily throughout their lives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is committed to ensuring that these products are both safe and effective.
NIH Faces Scrutiny for Funding New Dog Tests Despite Pledge to Reduce Animal Research
Earlier this year, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced an initiative to reduce animal testing and invest in βhuman-based technologiesβ such as organ-on-a-chip systems, AI tools, and clinical data modeling. The move was celebrated as a major step toward more humane, human-relevant science.
Riverβs Rescue: From Stranded Stray to Forever Home
What began as a routine water safety trip on the Cuyahoga River quickly turned into a story of courage, compassion, and second chances.
On Wednesday morning, city staff and water crews set out for an educational trip. But the lesson that day wasnβt just about safetyβit was about humanity. Crew member Bill Bratton spotted something unusual in the water: a small dog wedged against a steel piling, soaked, shivering, and struggling to survive.
Stop the Irreversible and Painful Practice of Declawing
Ohio has the chance to join a growing movement to protect cats from one of the most painful and unnecessary surgeries still being performed: declawing. Senate Bill 252 (S.B. 252) would make it illegal to declaw cats in Ohio, except in rare cases where it is medically necessary for the animalβs health.
75 Animals Rescued from Ashtabula Hoarding Case
The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (ACAPL) is facing one of its most heartbreaking and overwhelming rescues to date. Earlier this month, a tip about inhumane conditions led to the removal of 72 cats and three dogs from two homes deemed βbiohazardsβ by authorities.
Human Bones and Hundreds of Animals Found in Stark County Home
The community of Canton, Ohio, is reeling after investigators uncovered a disturbing scene inside a home on Wertz Avenue. Following a tip from an animal rescue group, authorities executed a search warrant and discovered over 250 living rats, 100 deceased rats, dogs, turtles, and birdsβall living among piles of filth, feces, and urine. Even more shocking, a box containing human bones was found inside.
Beaver Deceiver Saves Lives in Vermont
In Orange, Vermont, beavers have been given a chance to thrive thanks to an innovative flow device known as a βbeaver deceiver.β Installed by Beaver Deceivers LLC and funded primarily by In Defense of Animals (IDA), the device allows beavers to remain in their natural habitat while also preventing flooding that can damage roads and culverts.
False Report Leads to Tragic Dog Shooting in Madison Township
On the morning of July 21, law enforcement officers responded to a false emergency call in Madison Township. The caller falsely claimed that a βgrandmaβ had been shot in the kitchen of a home on the 3300 block of South Hamilton Road, near Hott Road.
Ohio Man Guilty in Dogfighting Case
An Ohio man has admitted to running a dogfighting operation while also engaging in drug trafficking β a disturbing reminder of the cruelty and crime tied to animal fighting ventures.
Beavers in Ohio are Gnawing Their Way Back
Once nearly wiped out from Ohio due to overtrapping in the 1800s, beavers are now reclaiming their role as essential architects of the stateβs ecosystems. Known for their iconic dams and industrious nature, these resilient rodents are making a βdamβ impressive comebackβand the environment is better for it.
βWe can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.β
β Nelson Mandela