Reznor (On the right with his paw still bandaged) poses with new owner Sara Beel and a friend.
LISBON – A judge has dismissed charges filed against a Columbiana County couple who humane authorities claim neglected to seek medical care for their severely injured dog. The two were ordered to pay the Humane Society $1,450 for the veterinary bill and the cost of boarding the dog while it recovered.
According to Humane Officer Fabian Pike, the case stems from late April, when he and another officer spotted a dog they thought was dead outside a home on State Route 644 in Salineville.
When the dog lifted its head, the two agents realized the dog was alive, but just barely, according to Pike.
Officer Pike writes in a Facebook post that “the dog had a severe laceration on its left front paw and was in significant pain, yet somehow it still wagged its tail slowly.”
Pike said blood was splattered on the ground. (Officer Pike posted images of the dog’s injuries on Facebook. 21 News has opted not to post those pictures because of their graphic nature.)
“There were also partial paw prints leading to the door, as if the poor pup had dragged himself through the mess to reach the grass area,” Pike wrote.
After no one answered the agent’s knock on the home’s door, and believing that time wasn’t on their side, the officers brought the dog to Dr. Amanda Zoldak’s veterinary office in Lisbon.
Pike says the dog was taken immediately into an examination room where Dr. Zoldak determined that the animal’s heart was beating 280 times per minute. The dog also suffered from multiple broken bones and other fractures.
In addition to having fleas, Pike said the ticks on its skin were feeding on other ticks. Tests also determined that he had Lyme disease and a bacterial illness caused by the ticks.
The dog had lost so much blood, Dr. Zoldak decided that performing surgery was too risky. So, she administered pain medication.
The dog underwent several treatments to save his paw, along with 28 days of antibiotics to combat Lyme disease.
Officer Pike said he learned that the dog was injured after being run over by a skid steer: a compact piece of motorized construction equipment.
Alleging that the owners of the dog, named “Smokey” failed to provide adequate care for his injuries. Pike charged 33-year-old Elwyn Kuhns and 34-year-old Rebecca Kuhns with violating Ohio’s law protecting companion animals.
The Kuhns hired an attorney who appeared with them during subsequent court hearings.
On Tuesday, Judge Timothy McNichol dismissed the charges, following an agreement reached between the Kuhns and the prosecutor.
The Kuhns paid the Humane Society $1,000 to cover veterinary costs, and $450 for boarding the dog.
Pike told 21 News that in the nearly six months since the officers first saw the dog, he has fully recovered.
Turned over to new owners and given a new name, “Reznor”, Pike says the dog has moved on to a “wonderful life.”
Pike concluded his Facebook Post, calling the court outcome a victory and hopes stories like that of Reznor’s teach a lesson:
“This case was not solely about the accident that occurred; I understand that things happen, especially on farms. However, failing to seek proper care for animals is wrong, regardless of the circumstances. It is not anyone else’s responsibility to care for your animals; it is yours. If you cannot afford them and lack a contingency plan, you need to reevaluate your life choices. Dogs, cats, and livestock are a significant responsibility, so please be responsible for your animals.”
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