Four cases of animal cruelty involving 16 animals underline the important work of animal welfare officers and the importance of tips from the public.
Jesse Moore, animal control officer for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, was called in on all four cases because residents were concerned about the animals, which they believed were being mistreated. As a result, the animals were removed from the bad situations and four suspects face charges ranging from one to 12 misdemeanors.
According to the sheriff’s office, the department has referred five cases to the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office this year, up from three cases in the past two years. Moore believes the number of residents reporting animal neglect is increasing.
Moore has observed a trend of placing animals that have not been spayed or neutered into new homes, which leads to overpopulation. The animals then live with residents who are not prepared for the responsibilities that come with owning pets. Neglect can also occur because new pet owners lack the resources or knowledge to provide proper care.
One case involving 12 cats and kittens resulted from the reporting of a deceased kitten.
Tarah Lowery, 39, of Cambridge City is charged with 12 counts of cruelty. Her initial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 20 in Superior Court 3.
Local residents who got a kitten from Lowery said they took the kitten to a veterinarian because it was so sick, according to an affidavit. The kitten, who was diagnosed with conjunctivitis, an upper respiratory infection, fleas and intestinal parasites, died within a few days.
Moore found 11 cats and kittens that Lowery had kept in a barn in Milton. Each of those animals had some or all of the diseases found in the deceased kitten, the affidavit states.
Lowery had brought the kittens to the barn because she had about 25 of them at home. They had not received veterinary care or been spayed because she had been putting it off, the affidavit states. At the time of the investigation, she said she had fewer than 10 kittens at home and they had been spayed.
Another report of two dogs tied up in the woods without shelter, food or water led to charges being filed against two Centerville residents.
Charles Orr, 19, is charged with two counts of animal cruelty for tying the dogs in the woods. Suga and Spaz were found with their hips, spines and ribs clearly visible, according to an affidavit. Moore was told Orr left the dogs behind when he moved out of the home on College Corner Road.
Orr’s first hearing will take place on August 21 in Superior 3.
When Moore went to the residence regarding that complaint, she saw another dog named Kyson who was thin and had protruding ribs and hip bones, as well as muscle atrophy, an affidavit states.
Phoebe Orr, 21, is charged with cruelty for allegedly failing to provide Kyson with adequate food and shelter. She has an initial hearing in Superior 3 on August 21.
Moore became involved in the fourth case after Centerville police were called to a Morton Avenue apartment complex where a dog was found in poor conditions. The dog, named Groot, also had visible ribs, hips and vertebrae, as well as spongy muscles and a swollen abdomen, suggesting intestinal parasites. Groot also suffered from dehydration and hookworms.
Sierra Mitchell, 26, is accused of animal cruelty and her first hearing will take place on August 20 in Superior 3.
According to an affidavit, Mitchell was in Michigan and had not been at her apartment for at least a week. She said a neighbor was supposed to feed Groot.
A version of this article appeared in the August 14, 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
