Latest news with #FriendshipAnimalProtectiveLeague
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Local humane agents give health update on puppy that was brutally stabbed
LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) – It was a gruesome act of violence against a helpless animal. 'It's one of the most brutal attacks I've seen,' said Greg Willey, executive director of the Friendship Animal Protective League. Willey said an 8-month-old pit bull named Ivy is still heavily medicated, timid and unable to walk on her own two days after undergoing life-saving surgery at Northview Animal Clinic in Ridgeville. She suffered wounds allegedly caused by her owner, 41-year-old Terry Thomas, of Sandusky. The 45-pound pup had extensive facial lacerations from her right ear to her jaw. Her faced was sliced open with part of her ear missing. Examining Perrysburg Schools' identity fraud case through a legal lens The weapon used, Willey said, was possibly a knife with plastic handle. 'This is a person who was having some king of mental health crisis and was at large and had a knife and had done this to an animal,' Willey said. This case, experts said, is a grim reminder that animal abuse cases are on the rise. Willey said their humane cases made up 6-8% of their intakes just three years ago. That number has now jumped significantly to more than 23%. 'We are seeing just massive increases in the number of cases year over year,' Willey said. Humane officers said it was Thomas who brought the puppy in to get checked out last Saturday, reportedly telling the authorities the dog was being punished for defecating on the floor. He was released from the Erie County jail on his recognizance, and under Goddard's Law, he's now facing charges of animal cruelty — a felony of the fifth degree. Wayne Dawson declared cancer-free after treatment Thomas will be back before a judge on May 29, where he is expected to make a plea. He faces up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine if convicted. Humane officers said he agreed to sign the dog over to the APL. The puppy is expected to be released this evening into the temporary foster care of the veterinarian who helped save her life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dog recovering after owner reportedly stabs her after having an accident in the house
An 8-month-old dog is recovering after being stabbed in Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The dog was reportedly stabbed by her owner after she had an accident in the house, according to a Friendship Animal Protective League social media post. TRENDING STORIES: A 24-year-old man enrolled in an Ohio high school; Senator calls for federal investigation Local park voted best BBQ spot in Ohio for Memorial Day Defense Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump's use The league received a call early Saturday morning from staff at the Northview Animal Clinic in Lorain County. They said someone brought the dog to the emergency clinic 'bleeding from a large gaping wound to her face,' according to the post. The humane team responded to the clinic soon after. According to the post, the owner signed the dog over to the humane officers, who then authorized Northview staff to start life-saving surgery. The owner was outside the humane officer's and other local law enforcement's jurisdiction, but they presented evidence to the Perkins Township Police Department in Erie County on Saturday. Police arrested Terry Thomas, 41, on animal cruelty charges on Monday. The Perkins Township Police Department said Thomas 'struck the puppy several times with an unknown object causing a large laceration to the dog.' 'Thanks to the heroic care of the team at Animal Clinic Northview, the diligence of our humane team, and the decisive action of the Perkins Police Department – this sweet girl will have a second chance and the owner will face justice for this truly awful case of brutal abuse,' the post said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Over 200 farm animals rescued from Ohio property
Over 200 animals were rescued from a farm in Wellington, Ohio, according to a social media post by Friendship Animal Protective League. A search warrant was executed by Friendship APL Humane Investigation Department after a concerned citizen reported a post of sheep without proper shelter or food, according to Friendship APL. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On March 18, Friendship APL was able to make contact with the owner of the animals and agents were allowed to view the animals on the property. They found sheep with hooves so long they struggled to walk, multiple dead sheep and some severely underweight sheep, according to Friendship APL. The owner of the animals did not continue to cooperate with Friendship APL, and they obtained a warrant and executed it at the farm. TRENDING STORIES: Man formally charged in crash that killed 68-year-old woman Tornado touched down at CVG Airport, NWS says Caught on Video: Man snatches money bag from Brink's truck driver Sheep, goats, turkeys, geese, chickens and rabbits were taken into the care of Friendship APL, totaling 201 rescued. The animals are now receiving care and medical treatment, Friendship APL said. Around 30 dead animals were removed from the property, according to Friendship APL. 'The conditions the animals were kept in at this property were deplorable and inhumane,' said Gregory Willey, FAPL's Executive Director. 'This is the third large-scale seizure of animals by Friendship Animal Protective League in less than 30 days. While these cases are an extreme burden on our staff and resources, preventing animal cruelty and seeking justice for abused animals is critically important.' A probable cause hearing will be held to determine where the animals should be housed while the case goes through the legal system, according to Friendship AFL. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Over 130 roosters, several other animals removed from alleged cockfighting operation in Ohio
Over 200 animals were seized from an alleged cockfighting operation in Ohio, according to a spokesperson with the Friendship Animal Protective League (FAPL) Humane Investigation Department. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Agents conducted a search warrant at a property in Sheffield Township, north of Elyria, on Feb. 28. TRENDING STORIES: Hundreds protest Elon Musk, Department of Government Efficiency at local Tesla Service Center Car overturns after crashing into power pole 4-year-old Ohio girl in coma after serious flu complications 131 game roosters, several fighting pits, and cockfighting paraphernalia like 'gaffs,' were found on the property, according to the spokesperson. Gaffs are razor-sharp blades attached to the roosters' legs while in the fighting ring. When agents arrived on scene, the suspects were reportedly dubbing some of the roosters. The spokesperson said this is when people remove the rooster's 'fleshy waddles, combs, and earlobes to limit blood loss during a cockfight—making the fight last longer.' Agents also seized 97 hens, five rabbits, three dogs and four pigeons. These animals 'were also being kept in violation of animal welfare laws, including being housed in unsanitary conditions with adequate food and/or water,' the spokesperson said. A probable cause hearing will be scheduled to figure out where the animals will live as the investigation continues. Three days prior, agents investigating a different cockfighting operation conducted a search warrant and seized 21 roosters. 'Cockfighting is extreme animal cruelty and we have no tolerance for this inhumane crime,' FAPL's Executive Director Gregory Willey said. 'Not only does cockfighting harm innocent animals, but it places our community as a whole at risk due to its links to drugs, gambling, violence, and communicable disease, such as bird flu.' It is unclear if anyone has been arrested or charged in connection to this investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
