Man allegedly tried hitting officials at scene of animal cruelty investigation

OHIO -- A man who owns property near Woodville in Sandusky County allegedly tried to hit with his vehicle investigators who were at the site investigating an animal cruelty case.

Kelly Askins, Sandusky County Humane Society shelter manager and animal cruelty investigator, said she obtained a warrant to go on the property near Woodville today after receiving multiple complaints about a dead goat in a pasture.

Ms. Askins said she and an agent from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation were at the property when the owner, Thomas Linke, 73, of 4632 Sandusky County Road 16, drove up in a truck and rammed into the front of a vehicle, which was hooked up to a horse trailer that volunteers had brought to the scene. That vehicle had been backed up to the gate in order to load animals, and it was not occupied at the time of the collision, she said.

Ms. Askins said a BCI agent had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck. She said no one was injured, and Mr. Linke was arrested by Sandusky County Sheriff's Office deputies at the scene.

Mr. Linke was being held the Sandusky County jail late today without bond, pending a court appearance Wednesday in Sandusky County Court 2 in Woodville. He is charged with assault on a police officer, a fourth-degree felony, and a second-degree misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business, a dispatcher said.

Ms. Askins said the man will face additional charges of animal cruelty.

Investigators discovered at least three dead animals on the grounds, including goat and cattle. She couldn’t say yet what caused the animals’ deaths, and said investigators also found “multiple bones throughout the pasture area.”

Other animals on the property, including a dozen goats, two cattle, and a sheep will be taken to foster homes. Ms. Askins said those animals were “slightly thin” and “a couple were a little more than slightly thin.”

She said it appeared that at least one of the dead animals had died within the last four to five days, while the others had been dead longer.

Ms. Askins said the property owner accused the investigators of stealing his animals.

Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer could not be reached for immediate comment.

(Toledo Blade - Oct 8, 2013)