Convicted animal abuser gets abused dog back

Doody · 08-07-2007, 01:15 PM

Say WHAT???????? Who IS this judge!!??

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Quote:

Convicted Animal Abuser Gets Abused Dog Back
Activists Outraged By Release To Owner

UPDATED: 12:20 pm CDT August 6, 2007

OXFORD, Ohio -- A man who was convicted of animal cruelty will be allowed to get his dog back, but he must follow a list of conditions to care for the animal, Cincinnati television station WLWT reported.

Otis Clark, of Oxford, pleaded no contest last month to charges related to the abuse of his 2-year-old dog, China, and he petitioned to get it back.

The dog was found with a chain so deeply imbedded in its neck, it required surgery to remove it.

Judge Robert Lyons allowed Clark to care for the dog, provided that it is licensed and is not tied up.

The dog also must be checked every 90 days by a veterinarian, and if Clark does not comply with the judge's orders he will be considered in violation of his probation.

Clark must read a book on dog care given to him by the court and is subject to random home visits by a probation officer.

If he violates the terms of his probation, Clark must forfeit the dog and would face up to 180 days in jail.

Animal activists are angry that Clark was able to get the dog back, blaming the prosecutor and judge for engaging in a "closed door" deal with Clark.

Doody · 08-07-2007, 01:30 PM

Wish I could be in Oxford, Ohio on the 16th. GRRRRRR!
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From
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Quote:

OXFORD — A rally is set for noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 16 outside the High Street courthouse to protest the decision to give back an abused dog to its owner, said Animal Friends Humane Society Executive Director Leland Gordon.

The dog, named China by shelter volunteers, was taken to the Trenton shelter March 30 with a chain embedded an inch into her neck, which required emergency surgery, Gordon said.

The dog's owner, Otis Clark Jr. of Somerville, was charged with animal abuse, no dog license and dog running at large. He pleaded no contest to the charges in Butler County Area I Court before Judge Robert Lyons.

Saturday, Clark retrieved the dog after presenting court documents from Lyons showing he could reclaim the dog, according to Gordon.

Doody · 08-08-2007, 11:24 AM

Well I'm still ranting.
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I've written letters to the editors of numerous newspapers that the Animal Friends Humane Society in that area emailed to me. And don't look at this link if you don't want to see poor China's neck! It's a story at the Humane web site about China with a picture of the owner...yuck...and it shows pictures of her as well.
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Quote:

Judge Returns Abused Dog to Abuser

TRENTON, Ohio, August 6 - Humane Society officials and Butler County residents are outraged with the return of China the dog to her abuser Otis Clark Jr. of Somerville. China came to the Humane Society as a stray on March 28, 2007 with no license and with a chain embedded about one inch into her flesh. The Humane Society performed emergency surgery and removed the chain from her neck. China has made a full recovery.

Otis Clark Jr of SomervilleAccording to the Butler County Dog Warden, Clark was aware of the injury but placed China on a harness and left the chain in her neck. He sought no medical treatment for China. The dog soon broke free of the harness and found her way to the Humane Society.

After charges of Animal Cruelty were filed by the Dog Warden, Clark entered a "not guilty" plea. Then, for months nothing occurred, even though a live animal was involved and had to remain in a cage. Hearing after hearing was continued without directly involving the Butler County Dog Warden who brought the charges against Clark. In addition, the Humane Society, which had been caring for China since March, was kept completely out of the loop.

Finally, Humane Society Director Leland Gordon, Veterinarian Christa Nealeigh, and Dog Warden Julie Holmes were subpoenaed to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 12. Upon arrival at the Courthouse, however, they learned that approximately one hour before the time set for the hearing, the plea had been changed to "no contest" - once again, without any consultation with either the Dog Warden or the Humane Society - and the owner wanted his dog back. Unfortunately, the case was once again delayed. Sentencing and, therefore, justice for China, was postponed until August.

Sentencing was set for August 9, and Butler County Dog Wardens and the Humane Society were set to appear. Again, however, the hearing date and time were ignored. On Thursday August 2, apparently in another meeting without input from either the Dog Warden or the Humane Society, a court order was issued, ordering China returned to her owner, Otis Clark Jr. In fact, no notice of this decision was even transmitted to the Dog Warden or the Humane Society. This shows a tremendous disrespect. The Humane Society cares for thousands of animals a year, most of its funding coming from public donations. The Dog Wardens continually fight animal cruelty in the community.

Clark walked into the Humane Society on Saturday, August 4, with the court order, and demanded the return of the dog he had so horrendously abused. Because of the court order, Clark was given his dog.

The sentencing received by Clark is an outrage. In the court order, Clark is ordered to read a book on how to care for dogs, to take his dog to a vet, to not to tie up his dog, and to reimburse the Humane Society for costs it incurred. In further insult to the Butler County Dog Wardens, Judge Lyons ordered that the probation department monitor the care of the dog, rather than the Dog Wardens.

The decision to send China back to her abuser sends a horrible message to the community. It says that animal cruelty and neglect are tolerated. Humane Society officials and Judge Lyons received many letters of support for China. Not one letter to the Humane Society even suggested that China be returned to her abuser.

Chemar · 08-09-2007, 07:04 AM

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Doody

I share your feelings on this

NOTHING gets me going more than cruelty to children and animals
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and it is reprehensible that an abused animal be returned to the abuser........

good for you for drawing attention to this one!

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