Akron police have charged three people with felony cruelty to animals in two incidents so far this month on accusations that they mistreated or even killed dogs.
In the most recent case, James Taylor, 66, was charged after he allegedly snapped his mother’s dog’s neck because it urinated on the floor in his bedroom.
The abuse occurred in the 700 block of Frase Avenue between midnight and 1 a.m. Wednesday.
According to police, Taylor arrived home intoxicated. When he discovered the dog had urinated, he allegedly grabbed the dog from his 95-year-old mother’s lap and went back to his room with the animal. The next morning, the woman and her grandson found their pet dead in its dog bed.
Taylor then allegedly threatened to snap his mother’s neck, too.
Taylor was charged with menacing domestic violence as well as animal cruelty.
In the other case, 48-year-old Richard Facemire and 52-year-old Angel Facemire were charged after police officers found four of their dogs severely malnourished on March 7. One of the dogs appeared almost dead, according to police. Pictures from the scene show the dog’s ribs were visible and patches of her fur were missing.
Police said the house, in the 400 block of Stanton Avenue, had no dog food or water available for the pets and several of the dogs appeared to have been kept in cages for long periods of time.
All four dogs were taken from the home. Three were placed in the care of the Summit County Animal Shelter and the least healthy one, which appeared to be a German Shepherd, was transported to an animal hospital.
Richard Facemire, who police went to the house to arrest on a felony warrant, also was charged with drug possession because he allegedly had methamphetamine in his pocket when he was arrested.
Ohio police only recently have been able to charge people with felonies related to animal cruelty. Ohio lawmakers passed Goddard’s Law — named for famed weatherman and animal advocate Dick Goddard — last year. Prior to its passing, police and prosecutors could only pursue misdemeanor charges against pet abusers.
March’s cases follow Summit County’s first felony animal cruelty case pursued in February. In that case, University of Akron student Matthew McCullough, 20, is accused of throwing his roommate’s kitten against a wall. He told his roommate the kitten had bit, scratched and went to the bathroom on him. The kitten, Leo, did not survive.
McCullough pleaded not guilty to the charge earlier this month. He is scheduled to have a status hearing at 8 a.m. Friday in Summit County Common Pleas Court. If convicted, he faces six months to a year in jail.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook @JournoNickGlunt .