Dear Friends,

Here are newspaper articles for the Lawrence County abuse case for Sparkle.....and a message left on Ironton city message board.  Why were the charges dropped if this person is still abusing animals what is the Humane Society doing?  Please post this anywhere you can.

First Article June 18th

``Worst case of dog abuse ever in Lawrence County" results in charges filed
3-year-old Labrador-chow mix hung from tree by hind legs, escaped By Kirsten Stanley
Of The Daily Independent

IRONTON — Charges were filed Friday in an animal cruelty case that humane society officials are calling the worst ever in Lawrence County.

 A 3-year-old black Labrador-chow mix was found near death last week in the Deering area, according to Steve VanSant, Lawrence County Humane Society shelter director.

The dog, named Sparkle because of the glimmer of hope VanSant saw in his eyes when he took him in, had severe mange covering his body, an enlarged heart resulting from heartworms and a badly mangled and infected tail that was 80 percent cut off. His eyelids were also severely damaged and may require surgery.

Two deep tears exposing his tendons were found on his hind legs.

According to VanSant, Sparkle was tied up by his hind legs and apparently hung from a tree. He said it is not known what the suspect intended to do with the dog, but it appeared she wanted to hang him ``for gutting."

``I think she just lost her nerve and she couldn't do it with a knife and she thought she would let him hang there until he died," Van Sant said.

But, Sparkle escaped.

``When I first saw the dog, I thought it was some kind of cult activity," VanSant said. ``I thought it could only be a cult that would inflict this kind of pain. I never thought it could be the dog's owner that would do this."

Charges of animal cruelty, abandonment and neglect have been filed against Julie Simmons of Deering, whom neighbors have identified as Sparkle's owner.

Simmons had initially reported finding Sparkle on her porch to the Lawrence County dog warden and the humane society. But after some investigation, humane society agent Don Clark found witnesses who said Simmons had owned the dog for more than a year.

If convicted on the abandonment charge, Simmons could face six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The other charges carry penalties of 90 days in jail and fines of up to $750.

The humane society has offered a reward of $100 for information resulting in a conviction in the case. The National Humane Society has offered a $2,500 reward for a conviction on the cruelty charge.

VanSant said this is the first time the national organization has stepped in to help on a case in the Tri-State area.

``They mean business and so do we," he said. ``So many people have been affected by this case and it has really opened a lot of people's eyes to the problem."

According to the staff of the Proctorville Animal Clinic — where the dog is being treated — Sparkle's mange has been active for about six months. His other injuries happened within the last few weeks.

``We have been told that she (Simmons) just didn't have the money to pay for Sparkle's care and wanted him to die," VanSant said. ``I really don't know if I believe that or not. And I certainly don't think that's an excuse for this kind of abuse."

The dog seems to be doing well, even though he remains weak and lethargic most of the time. He has started barking and going out for ``potty breaks", the animal clinic staff says.

About 20 people have already inquired about adopting the dog, but that cannot happen until he makes a full recovery, which could take a few months.

Because Sparkle's treatment is expected to cost about $1,000, the shelter is trying to raise funds for his care.
 

KIRSTEN STANLEY can be reached by phone at (606) 326-2656 or by e-mail at kstanley@dailyindependent.com
 

Second article July 12th

No charges filed in animal cruelty case; probe continues

By Kenneth Hart
Of The Daily Independent

IRONTON — An investigation is continuing into a dog abuse case that authorities have called the worst instance of animal cruelty in Lawrence County.

However, the Lawrence County Prosecutor's Office said it will not file charges against a Deering woman, based on a complaint that had been filed in the case by the Lawrence County Humane Society.

In fact, the humane society has withdrawn the complaint, said Mike Nimmo, chief investigator with the prosecutor's office.

Also, Steve VanSant, the former humane society president who sought the filing of misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and neglect, was fired Monday as director of the society's Ironton animal shelter.

Neither VanSant nor Robert ``Reb" Beasley, the humane society's current president, could be reached for comment this morning.

A woman who answered the phone at the Ironton shelter this morning said she was not allowed to discuss VanSant's dismissal.

Nimmo stopped short of saying that the woman the humane society had accused of abusing the dog had been cleared in the case.

He did say that the investigation was continuing and that the prosecutor's office currently did not have enough information or evidence to charge anyone.

VanSant said previously that neighbors had identified the woman as the owner of the 3-month old black Labrador-chow mix.

The case came to light last month after the dog was found near death in the Deering area.

The dog, which has been named Sparkle, had severe mange, heartworms and a badly mangled and infected tail, 80 percent of which had to be amputated. The dog's legs were also tied together.

The dog is recovering at an animal clinic in Proctorville.
 

KENNETH HART can be reached by phone at (606) 326-2654 or by e-mail at khart@dailyindependent.com

*Message Posted on Ironton city message board, that by the way no longer is working since this post.*

Posted by Barbara (198.81.17.187) on July 06, 2001 at 08:31:41:

Please help stop a very sick individual from abusing more animals. For more information, please look at the stories: www.geocities.com/jcrowe22/sparkle2.html

There was another report this morning that this same woman brought in another injured dog to Ashland, Ky
Animal Clinic.
Link To Message Board

http://www.ironton-ohio.com/wwwboard/
 
 

Why are there no more updates? Why was this devoted man released from his  shelter director position? Why is this woman

allowed to continue to abuse animals? What is going on in Your City? What is going on In Ohio?  Why is the Humane Society not doing anything?

 Thank You