Dog neglected, one found dead Mineral City, OH (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Aug 4, 2002 County: Tuscarawas Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Ernest L. Royer, Jr.

Case ID: 4921 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in OH (US) Login to Watch this Case

Two dogs belonging to a Mineral City man were removed from his care on Tuesday, Oct 15 as a result of a third dog�s death in August 2002.

Ernest L. Royer Jr. of 8673 N. High St. is to appear in New Philadelphia Municipal Court Oct. 29 on a count of cruelty to animals. Royer was charged by Tuscarawas County Assistant Dog Warden Terry Warner.

Warner said the situation that led to the removal of the dogs began Aug. 4 when he was notified by a neighbor that one of Royer�s four medium-sized, mixed-breed dogs was dead.

�It was 94 degrees that day,� Warner said. �There were three other dogs in the back yard but only one dog box. The dog that was dead was tied to the dog box.

�There were a lot of dog feces. There was no food or water, and there was dry dirt in the bowls. I touched the dead dog�s body and it was very warm.�

Warner said no one was home but he took the dead dog out of the yard for the safety of the other dogs. An autopsy was performed immediately, he said.

According to the autopsy, the dog had not had any food for 24 to 36 hours and was dehydrated. The possible causes of death were listed as severe dehydration, starvation, heat prostration and epilepsy.

Warner said the neighbor who alerted authorities noticed the dog having seizures shortly before it died.

Warner said he filed his report with village solicitor Steve Anderson, who in turn filed a civil complaint against Royer last week in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court. Judge Edward O�Farrell ordered Warner to remove the three remaining dogs from Royer�s property and hold them in the pound pending further court orders.

�There were only two dogs when I went back Tuesday,� Warner explained. �He had given the other dog to a friend. He was upset but cooperative. Mr. Royer claimed he took good care of his animals.�

Warner said the remaining two animals were in much better condition than they were in August thanks to a neighbor who has been feeding and watering them every day.

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References

The Times-Reporter - Oct 19, 2002

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