Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Ronald C. Lewis | | Judge(s): | Michael K. Murry |
Dogs abandoned in home, 2 puppies found dead
Xenia, OH (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Oct 20, 2010
County: Greene
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Susan Dunn
A woman pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged animal cruelty case in Xenia Municipal Court Wednesday.
Animal Control officers said that two dogs starved to death after Susan Dunn, 48, of 1356 Massachusetts Drive in Xenia, left her six dogs unsupervised at her home while she left the state.
Dunn has been charged with three counts of failing to register dogs and two counts of animal cruelty, all misdemeanors.
According to Greene County Animal Control reports, an Animal Control officer responded to a complaint that Dunn had left the neighbors unsupervised on Oct. 12 and left a notice on the door. The notice was still there when two officers responded to a second complaint Oct. 20.
The officers spotted a dog inside a back window that was caught in window blinds and, according to the report, the dog's leg was wrapped in the string, leaving it swollen. The officers opened the unlocked window to free the dog and called police.
Dunn was contacted and gave officers permission to enter the home and take custody of the six dogs. Officers found two dead dogs in a bathroom with no food or water and four other dogs, including the one that was caught in the blinds.
"There's no doubt in my mind that they starved to death," said Greene County Animal Control Director and veterinarian Harold Brown, who examined all six dogs. He added that he found no traces of disease and the dogs had no food in their systems when they were taken into custody.
The report states that the home was littered with feces and it was evident that the dogs had eaten plants and plastic.
Dunn told officers that she had been out of the state for over a week and had no one to care for the dogs.
The dog caught in the blinds sustained a contusion and swelling, but Brown said that he is able to walk on it and he believes he will recover. Most of the other dogs were emaciated, according to their exam reports.
Brown said that he believes the dogs will be adoptable after a recovery period. He added that he does not believe the dogs have been neglected only recently.
"Most of the time here in Greene County, the people who live here really care for their animals," said Brown. But, he added, "Many people are embarrassed to ask for help. "He said that Animal Control accepts licensed pets for a fee, and sometimes even have extra food to assist pet owners who need it. Other animal agencies, such as the Humane Society, also assist pet owners who fall on hard times.
"No matter what happens, they're a lot better to bring them here than anywhere else," said Brown.
Anyone interested in assisting the Animal Control center may donate to its dog trust fund.
Greene County Animal Control currently has an excess of cats available for adoption. The adoption fee, $85, includes spay or neutering, testing, vaccination and a microchip. For dogs the fee is $115 and also includes licensing. For more information or to adopt a pet, call 937-562-7400. References |
