INJUSTICE IN OHIO: Judge Joy Oldfield lets Kathleen McLaughlin, 69, walk out of court with unsupervised probation after starving her dog, which had maggots inside him, to death

OHIO -- An Akron woman will spend one year on probation for starving a dog to death.

Kathleen McLaughlin, 69, will not be allowed to own a pet during her time on probation. Akron Municipal Court Judge Joy Oldfield also ordered Wednesday that McLaughlin pay $620 in fines and court costs.

Akron had supposedly "toughened up" their animal cruelty laws back in April and McLaughlin was facing up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 in fines. Clearly, Judge Joy Oldfield didn't get the memo that Akron residents want animal abusers to be held responsible for the horrendous crimes they commit against defenseless animals.

In this Aug. 2013 file photo, Judge Joy Malek Oldfield listens at her
ethics hearing in Columbus, Ohio. (Phil Trexler/Akron Beacon Journal)

CLEARLY JUDGE JOY OLDFIELD MAKES POOR DECISIONS:
Copley Patrolman Thomas Ballinger approached the women about 1:45 a.m.
He said it appeared the women were in the backseat in a state of undress.
After moving to the front seat, Oldfield claimed she was the only one
who was drinking that night, the officer said. Nonetheless,
Ballinger noted alcohol odors from both women. Further, he said Loya
refused to take any breath tests. She was taken to the police station with
Oldfield and was issued a citation.

McLaughlin previously pleaded no contest to a first-degree misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.

She cried during the hearing and apologized.

She cried because she was caught! Not because she's sorry for what she did.

A background check by the court's probation department found that McLaughlin's ailing health and financial troubles contributed to the dog's death. She never intentionally meant to harm the dog, named Bones, the probation department found.

Defense attorney Don Malarcik said McLaughlin lost her job because of the case.

"She's been affected by this tremendously," Malarcik said. "She's deeply remorseful. She feels horrible."

Boo hoo. Don Malarcik, you earned your paycheck defending this monster - I hope this dead dog visits you in your dreams every night for the rest of your pathetic life. No excuse as to why she didn't call Animal Control to come and get the dog? No excuse as to why she didn't take the dog to the shelter herself? No excuse as to why she didn't simply untie the dog and let it run away? The fact that she had a job means she is of sound mind and KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING!!!

Akron police investigated McLaughlin after a neighbor called and reported seeing a malnourished dog on the side of South Portage Path near Crosby Street.

Officers found the dog which was emaciated and dehydrated. He was so weak that he was unable to move his head in order to drink water provided by the officers.

Officers reported that as they were trying to help the animal, McLaughlin came down the street and told them she was caring for the dog for her son, who was out of town for six days. She went back to her house to get a sheet so officers could move the dog.

Police took the dog to Metro Veterinary Hospital, where he died before vets were able to treat him. The dog had maggots that burrowed inside him.

The veterinarian technician called it "one of the worst cases of animal neglect in regent years," according to a police report.

Officers went back to McLaughlin's home and found two empty water dishes outside. They also noted a large amount of dog feces in the backyard. Akron police found Bones had chewed through his rope — one half of the rope was tied around his neck and the other was still tied to the back door.

"There's a difference between someone who deliberately does this and someone who saw the dog and should have done something to help it," Oldfield said. "That doesn't excuse the fact that this dog suffered because of you and for that you should be punished."

(Cleveland.com - Dec 23, 2015)