Around 1 p.m. Monday, the Butler County deputy dog warden responded to 6029 Stillwell Road to investigate animal cruelty, according to a release from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
Robert Lewis, 23, was reportedly seen punching and kicking a dog in his yard. Lewis fled the residence when deputies arrived.
Lewis was apprehended Tuesday and charged with obstructing official business, resisting arrest, and four counts of cruelty to animals. He also had several outstanding warrants from the city of Hamilton.
Lewis had five dogs, and all were removed by the dog warden, according to the sheriff’s office. The dogs are now being cared for and housed at the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton.
“These animals were severely abused,” said Dog Warden Supervisor Kurt Merbs in the release.
“They were extremely submissive and obviously scared. We will keep them at the shelter for medical treatment and observation.”
Three of the five dogs were puppies and were voluntarily signed over by Lewis to the Animal Friends Humane Society. The case is still under investigation and placement of the other two dogs will be determined at a later time.
“It is truly repulsive that a human being can beat a defenseless animal,” said Sheriff Richard Jones in the release. “Mr. Lewis told our deputies that he was ‘disciplining’ his dogs. I think anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that torturing and beating animals is not a form of discipline.
Unfortunately, animal cruelty is a misdemeanor, but we will work closely with the prosecutor to see that he is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Anyone interested in adopting these or other animals should visit or contact the Animal Friends Humane Society.
(Hamilton Journal News (subscription) - Jun 3, 2015)
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