NEWARK, Ohio—Two women who ran an Ohio animal rescue operation have pleaded guilty to charges related to the abandonment of more than 20 cats in a trailer that was then tied shut.
They were charged in August after the Licking County Humane Society took custody of the cats left behind by the women’s Pittie Paw Rescue agency.
The Advocate in Newark reports animal rescue officials found 21 live cats and two dead in the central Ohio trailer, which had no food or water for the animals. One cat had to be euthanized.
Kristin Beaupry, of Centerburg, and Joyce Meisenhelder, of Heath, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of prohibitions concerning companion animals and abandoning animals.
Defense attorney Sam Shamansky says his clients recognized the seriousness of their misconduct.
I am so grateful for work the Licking County Humane Society does for our community! Had a great time at Pints for Paws today in Newark … had to leave Tip at home though pic.twitter.com/fXaP7xYtmS
— Danny O’Connor (@dannyoconnor1) August 25, 2018
Ohio hospital ends use of cats for airways procedure class
CINCINNATI—Cats will no longer be used by an Ohio children’s hospital for teaching doctors a method of examining human airways and lungs.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had complained to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center about practicing bronchoscopy procedure on cats.
The animal rights group says there are alternative techniques to putting tubes down cats’ throats. PETA says the practice can cause respiratory distress, collapsed lungs or cardiac arrest.
PROGRESS! Ohio hospital ends use of cats for airways procedure class https://t.co/gbTynPft5v (VIA @AP @fox28columbus) #FridayMotivation pic.twitter.com/uD7c1Nvp57
— Heather Carlson (@Hezzah) February 15, 2019
PETA says hundreds of cats were used over the past 20 years to teach doctors from around the world in the hospital’s pediatric flexible bronchoscopy postgraduate course.
Children’s hospital spokesman Jim Feuer confirmed Thursday the hospital recently sent a letter to PETA saying it would no longer use animals in the course. He didn’t provide any other details.
Group rescues 43 dogs from a hoarding situation in Kansas
CHETOPA, Kan.—An animal rescue group says it is housing 43 dogs that were found in three different properties in southeast Kansas.
KAKE-TV reports that Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption says the animals were found Feb. 15 near Chetopa in deplorable conditions without drinkable water, medical attention or shelter in freezing temperatures.
Chetopa Police Chief Scott Faegen said the owner surrendered the animals after a new ordinance limited the number of domesticated animals someone can keep to six.
CAN YOU HELP?? A Johnson County rescue group found 43 dogs living in deplorable conditions in southeast Kansas. Now, they are looking for fosters. Here’s how to help->-> https://t.co/CM8XkTW2iP #kwch12
— KWCH Eyewitness News (@KWCH12) February 17, 2019
Faegen said the animals weren’t malnourished or sick but were being kept in a hoarding situation.
All of the dogs were taken to a shelter in Mission of the dogs tested positive for heartworms.
The rescue group says it needs more foster homes to help care for the animals.
