LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Local animal advocates want help and answers to reverse a disturbing trend of animal cruelty in Allen County.
The biggest concern is figuring out who's in charge of handling those kinds of complaints and holding those who abuse dogs responsible for their actions. Local volunteers have seen a recent uptick in calls for sick and injured dogs who are not being cared for or abused by their owners and some who have even died from this neglect.
Now, they want to know what can be done to end this cycle while beefing up enforcement efforts when these repeated calls for violations come in.
Local volunteers have seen a recent uptick in calls for sick and injured dogs who are not being cared for or abused by their owners and some who have even died from this neglect.
“It's absolutely heartbreaking. It happens a lot. We need some clarification. We need something done in this county to help these animals that so desperately need help. They have no voice. We are their voice, and we go to help them,” stated Debbie Helser, Founder & President of Deb’s Dog Rescue.
“We've knocked on numerous doors. Passed out over 30 dog houses and 250 bales of straw so they are not cold in their shelter, or if they didn't have a shelter, at least give them something. Many of the families were very accepting. As long as you talk to them politely, they will accept whatever help that you're willing to give them,” continued Heather Lawson, volunteer.
Founder of Happy Tails Pup Partners, Stephanie Cox, added, “Make people accountable and have support from the Humane Agents and Humane Society. If we need to contact our state representatives to make a difference, then that's what we need to do. Something needs to change.”
State law does give Ohioans some rights when it comes to taking dogs out of harmful situations or obvious signs of abuse.
