Ohio: This newspaper wouldn't reveal who was charged with animal cruelty, but another news outlet did: Eric Jones

OHIO -- A 32-year-old Marion man (ERIC JONES) has been charged in Municipal Court for not providing medical care after his dog was allegedly injured, according to Lt. Christy Utley of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

One count of cruelty to animals, a first-degree misdemeanor, and three counts of failure to register a dog, a minor misdemeanor, were filed against him on Feb. 12.

According to court records, the offenses were allegedly committed on Jan. 19. A Sheriff’s Office report dated Feb. 2 said Detective Darrin Tolle interviewed the man who was later charged, and during the visit Tolle noted “numerous scars” on the shoulders of one dog, Brutus, that Tolle said were from healed wounds.

Tolle's report said “three or four” additional wounds on the back of Brutus’ neck were consistent with teeth marks.

The owner said that Brutus and Red, both male dogs, had fought each other after a female dog, Daisy, was in heat. Daisy was described as having "no signs of fighting or injury."

The three counts of failure to register a dog came from these three animals.

Red, who was also identified as Clyde in the report, was described by his owner as either “stolen or escaped” and Tolle’s report said Red was found near Elgin High School with injuries.

Tolle interviewed the woman who found Red and another woman who had possession of him at the time and Tolle verified that the dog both women called Clyde was Red by using that name to get the dog to come to him.

“During my time with Red was a lack of any injuries or scarring at all on his neck,” Tolle noted in his report. “All scars and wounds were noted on his face, head and front legs.”

In his conclusion, Tolle said he had “no evidence of organized dog fighting in this incident” and Red’s wounds came from a fight with another animal, either another dog or a wild animal. Tolle noted he believed the wounds were defensive in nature. Utley said that the animal cruelty charge came from the signs of past wounds that Red sustained.

When Tolle told the animals' owner about the suspicion that Red had been dropped off by someone, the owner denied any involvement.

All charges are pending and a hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23. Municipal Court records indicated the man does not have any prior convictions related to treatment of animals.

The Star does not identify those charged with misdemeanor offenses.

Thanksfully, http://abc6onyourside.com/ has no such problems and identified the owner as ERIC JONES.

(Marion Star - Feb 17, 2016)