Animal Cruelty Conviction Update

Humane Society of Delaware County Investigation Leads to First-Ever Felony Convictions for Animal Cruelty

April 23, 2024

The Humane Society of Delaware County (HSDC), a private nonprofit organization, spearheaded an investigation which led to two first-ever felony convictions and one misdemeanor conviction for cruelty to companion animals.

In a plea agreement accepted on Monday, April 22 by Delaware County Common Pleas Judge James P. Schuck, Judge Schuck sentenced the defendant, Joshua O. Ramey, to three years community control, 40 hours of community service, restitution to the Humane Society of Delaware County, and an indefinite ban on owning any animals. In any month that Mr. Ramey does not pay agreed-to restitution, he will serve two days in county jail.

In September 2023, HSDC’s humane agents found two dead kittens, three live kittens and one adult cat at Ramey’s home. Subsequent veterinary examinations confirmed that the kittens had been starved and all felines were anemic due to severe flea infestation. Though the kittens were determined to be five to six months old, they weighed between 1.5 – 2.67 lbs.

“This conduct is beyond callous and truly inexcusable,” said HSDC Executive Director Jana Cassidy, who provided a victim’s impact statement prior to the sentencing. “Last year alone, HSDC distributed 33,000 pounds of free food for those who needed help caring for their pets. No animal should go hungry in Delaware County. Further, the defendant has a history and a pattern of animal abuse. We asked the court to impose a period of incarceration, require restitution, allow us to do unannounced home visits in the future, and ban the defendant from ever owning another companion animal.”

In 2019, HSDC removed five puppies, two adult dogs and one cat from his premises. A female dog, the mother of the puppies, subsequently died and a necropsy revealed that her death was caused by starvation. Ramey was convicted on four misdemeanor counts of prohibitions against companion animals and then subsequently sentenced to 15 days in jail due to his failure to comply with court orders in that case and unsuccessfully terminated from municipal probation.

Because of Ramey’s prior conviction, Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office presented the 2023 case to the Grand Jury last September. The Grand Jury returned four felony counts and one misdemeanor count of cruelty to companion animals.

HSDC took possession of all the surviving cats in this case, providing veterinary treatment and restoring them to healthy weights. All four were adopted in October and November of last year.

As the humane agent for Delaware County, HSDC investigated 110 potential cases of animal cruelty and neglect in 2023 – a 17% increase from 2022. More than 2,000 people adopted from HSDC last year while the agency cared for nearly 2,200 dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and other homeless animals.

April 17, 2024 News Update

Statement from HSDC
April 17, 2024

At a hearing held this morning in Delaware County Municipal Court, Judge Marianne Hemmeter awarded the Delaware County Dog Warden custody of the 40 dogs taken from a property on Kilbourne Road on Sunday, April 7th. The Warden is expected to transfer custody of 20 of the dogs to the Humane Society of Delaware County today. These 20 dogs were already under HSDC’s care.

“Getting ownership of the 20 dogs already in our care gives us the greenlight to move forward with preparing them for future adoptions, including performing spays and neuters and, for those dogs who need it, dealing with dental concerns. We had already addressed other basics, such as vaccines and necessary medical treatments.

“Thank you to everyone in the community for your wonderful support of these pups. We are incredibly grateful for the financial donations already received, and we also deeply appreciate the veterinary clinics that have stepped up to offer free medical services.

“In addition to an estimated $14,000 in additional monthly care expenses, HSDC staff will be working with identified behaviorists with expertise in unsocialized dogs. As many understand, dogs who have not been socialized around humans or lived inside a home will need a lot of time and training. Teaming experienced trainers with our staff will help ensure these dogs are not failed by humans again. It is our goal to ensure these pups get the training needed to be a great pet.

“It will take time and love to prepare these dogs for adoption. Again, thank you to the community for your support and concern.”

For further information, please contact:
Jana Cassidy 740.369.7387

 

Statement from HSDC
April 8, 2024

On Sunday, April 7, 2024, the Humane Society of Delaware County (HSDC), an independent nonprofit organization, collaborated with the Delaware County Dog Warden to execute a search warrant and subsequently remove 40 dogs from a home in Delaware County. While the Delaware County Dog Warden is the lead agency in this case, HSDC assisted with securing and transporting the dogs and is currently caring for 13 of them, providing food, shelter, and interim veterinary services to keep them safe and healthy. Until the case is adjudicated, HSDC cannot provide additional case-specific information.

The following is an interim statement from Jana Cassidy, Executive Director:

“We understand and share the community’s concern about this case and the dogs taken from this property. Our team worked quickly yesterday to help safely transport and provide veterinary care, shelter, and food for all 40 dogs, including the 13 that are currently on site with us.

“One of the most challenging issues we face is the ability of any humane agent to take action that adheres to Ohio laws regarding animal welfare. While we cannot provide additional specifics on this situation while legal action is pending, we can reassure everyone that we do everything we can to keep all animals safe and healthy, and we take legal action whenever we have the standing to do so. Just last year, we investigated 110 potential cases and rescued 28 animals, responding to a 17% increase in the number of complaints of abuse and neglect – all with three part-time humane agents.

“Over the last five years, HSDC have cared for nearly 8,700 animals because of the generosity of our hundreds of donors and volunteers. We are so grateful for their support, and for the way they stepped in to help with this case and so many others. All of us believe in protecting the health and safety of Delaware County people and their pets.”