Peter Bower, 31, faces the misdemeanor charge after Richland County's dog warden received an e-mail tip in mid-May.
"The tip was allegations about bestiality, sexual conduct with an animal," said Richland County Dog Warden Dave Jordan.
The tip included links to bestiality-themed Web sites, where Jordan told 10TV's Glenn McEntyre he found evidence, including photos, of Bower with multiple animals, including at least three dogs and possibly a horse.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Bower's apartment where they seized the 3-year-old shepherd mix and his computer.
According to records obtained by 10TV News, a bestiality book titled "Dearest Pet" was seized, along with plastic signs that read "Pets Welcome" and a plastic, blow-up sheep.
"That's disgusting," said Rosario DeLeon, a neighbor. "It's not right."
DeLeon said that Bower hung fliers in his apartment complex that offered pet-sitting services.
"(Bower) asked me if I would let him walk my dog and I said, 'I can't afford for you to walk my dog.' He said, 'I'll do it for free.'"
"He had a sign that said, 'Just Married,'" DeLeon said. "I was (thinking) who in the world did he get married to? I didn't see it in the paper, and (I found out) he was talking about his dog, Tara."
Investigators said that they would like to charge Bower with more serious offenses but Ohio has no laws regarding bestiality.
Ohio State Rep. Jay Goyal said that he plans to introduce legislation that would outlaw sexual contact with animals because of the Bower case.
He said that he hopes the crime would be considered a felony.
Bower was unavailable for comment, McEntyre reported.
(10tv - June 17, 2011)
