Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: 13 cats, 3 dogs seized from convicted abuser

13 cats, 3 dogs seized from convicted abuser
Columbus, OH (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 9, 2006
County: Franklin
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abusers/Suspects:
» Robert Helmbright
» David L Helmbright - Alleged

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 7359

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

View more cases in OH (US)

A Columbus-area man is accused of animal cruelty just more than one week after pleading guilty to an earlier incident involving the same kind of crime. Now, authorities want the man behind bars.

Humane agents said Robert Helmbright pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from a situation at his Taylor Road home last year, NBC 4's Holly Hollingsworth reported. "In my opinion, he's a predator -- that he's collecting these animals. He knows that there's a violation of his sentencing agreement," said Kerry Manion, of the Capital Area Humane Society.

During the August incident, 45 cats, 16 dogs and five guinea pigs were found in deplorable conditions at the home. Helbright was given a sentence of probation on Feb. 1, 2006. Then, on Feb. 9, 2006, 13 cats and three dogs were removed from his home. "The concern that we had at that time is that he was able to collect a large amount of animals again in a relatively short period of time," Manion said.

A nine-month jail sentence for the August 2005 incident was suspended, but now the prosecutor wants Helmbright to serve jail time. "We will be asking for some significant portion of that suspended sentence to be imposed," said Stefanie Coe, assistant city prosecutor. Helmbright now faces new charges and his brother, David, was charged with four counts of animal cruelty.

The next step will be a probation revocation hearing. Of the 16 new animals, officials said, several of the cats are sick enough to be quarantined and at least two are 50 percent underweight. The dogs are already being placed in adoptive homes.

Case Updates

A man convicted of animal cruelty was sent to jail on May 19, 2006 after being accused of having animals when he was not supposed to.

Robert Helmbright appeared in court to determine if he was violating his probation. Three months ago, he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported.

"I've repeatedly, Robert, given you break after break after break, and yet somehow you seem to land back here in this courtroom," Judge Harland Hale said. Helmbright whispered to his attorney that he would plead his own case if that meant no jail, Burton reported. "Do I have to take questions from Judge Hale?" Helmbright said. "No. Do you want to testify?" said George Leach, Helmbright's defense attorney. "No, not necessarily, unless you think that's the only way I can beat this," Helmbright said. Helmbright and his lawyer told the judge that he moved out of his mother's house and that the animals seen in photos shown in court were not his. "I was sleeping in my car night after night. Those animals arrived back at my mother's house on the 7th or 8th. I was not living there," Helmbright said.

"The animals belong to Mr. Helmbright, even if the court accepts he was living elsewhere," said Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Coe. The judge agreed and ordered Helmbright to go to jail for 267 days for having animals.

Source: NBC4I News - May 19, 2006
Update posted on May 21, 2006 - 3:13AM

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Robert Helmbright appeared in court Tuesday to face more animal cruelty charges. Robert Helmbright was previously convicted of having too many animals.

When inspectors checked Helmbright's home, they allegedly found 18 animals, including two cats that were severely underweight. Helmbright has been forbidden from having any pets as a part of his probation.

Until Tuesday, Helmbright also failed to make payments to the humane society. The humane society cared for dozens of cats and dogs that were taken from the home last summer.

Helmbright is due back in court next month.

Source: NBC Channel 4 - April 25, 2006
Update posted on Apr 26, 2006 - 5:08AM

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References

	NBC4 News - February 13, 2006
	NBC4 News - April 25, 2006

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13 cats, 3 dogs seized from convicted abuserColumbus, OH (US)

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13 cats, 3 dogs seized from convicted abuser
Columbus, OH (US)