Latest news with #GregoryWilley
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
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
More than 200 farm animals seized, others found dead on local property: Humane agents
WELLINGTON, Ohio (WJW) – Humane agents seized more than 200 farm animals, reportedly kept in 'deplorable and inhumane' conditions, from a Lorain County property on Tuesday. According to the Friendship Animal Protective League, an investigation started when humane agents learned about a post circulating on social media. The post described sheep on a Wellington property left in cold conditions without food or shelter. Humane agents checked on the property on Tuesday and the owner gave them permission to see the animals, the Elyria-based nonprofit said. 'The humane agents discovered sheep with hooves so long that they struggled to walk, numerous dead sheep, and severely underweight sheep,' Friendship APL said in a press release. When will Cedar-Lee development be demolished? According to Friendship APL, the property owner stopped cooperating with humane agents and the shelter's humane investigations department obtained a search warrant. During the search, humane agents seized 201 live animals, including goats, turkeys, geese, chickens, rabbits and more than 100 sheep. Friendship APL said many of the animals needed medical treatment. The nonprofit said several other animals were found dead around the property, including 29 rabbits and lambs. Humane agents removed the dead animals for necropsy. 'The conditions the animals were kept in at this property were deplorable and inhumane,' said Friendship APL Executive Director Gregory Willey. '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.' Twice-suspended dentist in Grove City under investigation after patient dies The case remains under investigation, but humane agents said a probable cause hearing will determine where the animals will be kept in the meantime. Friendship APL is 'only county humane society empowered to investigate suspected animal abuse in Lorain County,' according to the press release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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]
