Over 200 farm animals rescued from Ohio property
Over 200 animals were rescued from a farm in Wellington, Ohio, according to a social media post by Friendship Animal Protective League.
A search warrant was executed by Friendship APL Humane Investigation Department after a concerned citizen reported a post of sheep without proper shelter or food, according to Friendship APL.
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On March 18, Friendship APL was able to make contact with the owner of the animals and agents were allowed to view the animals on the property.
They found sheep with hooves so long they struggled to walk, multiple dead sheep and some severely underweight sheep, according to Friendship APL. The owner of the animals did not continue to cooperate with Friendship APL, and they obtained a warrant and executed it at the farm.
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Sheep, goats, turkeys, geese, chickens and rabbits were taken into the care of Friendship APL, totaling 201 rescued. The animals are now receiving care and medical treatment, Friendship APL said.
Around 30 dead animals were removed from the property, according to Friendship APL.
'The conditions the animals were kept in at this property were deplorable and inhumane,' said Gregory Willey, FAPL's Executive Director. 'This is the third large-scale seizure of animals by Friendship Animal Protective League in less than 30 days. While these cases are an extreme burden on our staff and resources, preventing animal cruelty and seeking justice for abused animals is critically important.'
A probable cause hearing will be held to determine where the animals should be housed while the case goes through the legal system, according to Friendship AFL.
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**Related Video Above: Dog survives one of the 'most graphic' animal abuse cases Friendship APL has seen CLEVELAND (WJW) — The dog arrived with gruesome stab wounds to the face and neck with blood matted into her fur. Pieces of Ivy's ear were missing. The team at Northview Animal Clinic in North Ridgeville got to work saving her life. 'Brutal. It was one of the most brutal cases of animal abuse I've seen,' said Greg Willey, executive director of Elyria's Friendship Animal Protective League, whose humane team was called in to help with Ivy. According to a police report, Terry Thomas of Sandusky brought his 8-month-old pit bull puppy to the clinic to get checked out on May 17, reportedly later telling authorities the dog had been punished for relieving herself on the floor. Dog dies after Medina shooting; group seeks answers Perkins Township police arrested Thomas two days later, and he was charged with felony animal cruelty under Goddard's Law. Ivy was signed over to the APL and is currently recovering at a foster home (as seen in the photos below). Thomas was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond due to a medical condition, according to Sandusky Municipal Court, and pleaded not guilty to the fifth-degree felony. Thomas faces a year in jail and a fine of $2,500 if found guilty. Ivy's case is just one of dozens that have been covered by the local news since the start of 2025 in Northeast Ohio. Willey said their humane cases made up 6-8% of their intakes just three years ago. That number has now jumped significantly to more than 23%. But are dog abuse cases going up across the region, state and nation, too? EXACTLY WHAT ARE WE SEEING In May alone, the following took place. A man in Erie County was accused of using a hammer to kill a puppy. Police officers in Mansfield rescued a puppy named Ezekiel — reportedly left behind by evicted owners — that was discovered so near death he was unable to stand or lift his head. In Bedford Heights, a man was indicted after he was reportedly caught on camera throwing and dragging his dog in a stairwell. While Willey with Friendship Animal Protective League said they're taking in more humane cases, Sharon Harvey, President and CEO of the Cleveland Animal Protective League, explained she is not seeing more per se. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman's beloved dog also shot during attack, euthanized 'What we know is there's a lot of it right now, and humane societies certainly are seeing these cases, they are being taken extremely seriously and people are becoming more outraged, which is good,' Harvey said. Harvey said data kept by the Cleveland APL does not reflect an uptick in humane cases. 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