22-05-2025
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.
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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.
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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.
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