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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Oct 27, 20234 min read

RONDA LYNN MURPHY, of Helping Hands for Furry Paws, pleaded not guilty to 23 animal cruelty charges

Updated: Apr 11

- Ohio, USA -


~ Update: April 11, 2024

 

On Monday, April 8, 2024, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Noah Powers II sentenced 61-years-old RONDA LYNN MURPHY (pictured), who ran a rescue called “Helping Hands for Furry Paws,” in an animal cruelty case that began in Summer 2023. More than ninety (90) dogs were removed from her property and thirty (30) dogs were sadly found deceased.

 

Judge Powers sentenced MURPHY to fifty-four (54) months in prison and ordered her to pay $16,221 to the nonprofit animal shelter Animal Friends Humane Society. The money is to reimburse the shelter for the cost of caring for those dogs during the week it took for MURPHY to relinquish her rights to the animals.

 

Additionally, Judge Powers ordered MURPHY be indefinitely barred from keeping any companion animals after she is released from prison.

 

In October 2023, MURPHY had been indicted on sixteen (16) fifth-degree felony counts of cruelty to companion animals and seven misdemeanors of the same charge.

 

In January 2024, MURPHY pleaded guilty to twelve (12) counts, eight (8) of which were felonies, and the remaining counts were dismissed.


 

~ Original story:


On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 60-years-old RONDA LYNN MURPHY (pictured), was in Butler County Common Pleas Court. She pleaded not guilty to twenty-three (23) counts of animal cruelty.


It all started on July 27, 2023, when deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Dog Wardens responded to MURPHY’s home on Mosiman Road in Madison Township to check on the welfare of dogs living there.


In a media release of August 2, 2023, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said that an investigation revealed that several dogs “were being housed in various structures on two Madison Township properties owned by Murphy.”


Officials conducted searches at both properties, at Mosiman Road and Eck Road, and found the animals in “the most horrible conditions ever seen”, stated the release.


In a garage, authorities found dogs in cages with no ventilation or air conditioning, and the inside temperature hitting almost 90 degrees. Many dogs were housed together in cages filled with urine, fecal matter, with no food or water. Other cages contained mothers and newborn puppies.


Sadly, about thirty (30) deceased dogs were discovered inside refrigerators and freezers “and other locations on the properties in varying states of decomposition.”


According to the release, Deputy Dog Wardens described the conditions of the main house as “unlivable”. The odor emanating from the property was so strong that it was burning the officials’ eyes.

More than eighty (80) living dogs and puppies were removed and placed in the care of Animal Friends Humane Society.


The Butler County Sheriff’s Office arrested MURPHY on August 2, 2023. She was initially charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a companion animal and one felony count of cruelty to a companion animal. Back then, Sheriff Jones said that as this investigation continued to unfold, more charges could be filed.


On October 11, 2023, a Butler County grand jury indicted MURPHY on seven (7) misdemeanor counts of cruelty to companion animals, and sixteen (16) felony counts of cruelty to companion animals.


Court records show that MURPHY is scheduled to be back at Butler County Common Pleas Court on November 21, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.


At the time of the arrest, MURPHY was the operator of Helping Hands for Furry Paws animal rescue out of the Mosiman Road property.


WKRC reports that between February 2020 and July 2023, Dog Wardens visited MURPHY’s two properties forty-two (42) times.

The news outlet further reports that for years, people had reported MURPHY’s “dogs were living in dirty conditions”, but when Dog Wardens went to do welfare checks, the dogs shown to them, appeared to be fine.


In May 2021, Dog Wardens had to leave two notices at MURPHY’s home before they were allowed to do a welfare check; In October 2021, they had to leave three notices, and in 2022, they had to wait a whole month before they could finally meet with MURPHY in June.


During the June 2022 visit, Dog Wardens noted that three of MURPHY’s dogs “appeared thin and were suffering from hair loss”, reports WKRC.

Dog Wardens then made a surprise visit in July 2022, and on that occasion, they said MURPHY showed them twenty-seven (27) dogs. Dog Wardens reported “a foul-smelling driveway with pallets of rotting dog food and ‘sticky, dirty floors,’ but said the cages were clean and the dogs appeared healthy.”


In 2023, Dog Wardens visited MURPHY’s home sixteen (16) times prior to the final visit on July 27.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



MURPHY’s mugshot shared from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.


Additional Sources:



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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Oct 20, 20233 min read

Video of a defenseless dog being abused prompts investigation

Updated: Oct 28, 2023

- Ohio, USA -


The Kettering Police Department is investigating an animal cruelty video that circulated widely on social media.


In a Facebook post, police wrote, “We are aware of the video circulating the internet involving an animal cruelty incident and the allegation that it occurred in the city of Kettering. Please know that the video and situation is under active investigation, and at this time it is unknown where or when this incident actually occurred. Remember that investigations take time, but we take these matters seriously.”


2 NEWS reports that police said concerned citizens started calling on Saturday, October 14, 2023, after a woman had posted on Snapchat that she “killed the puppy.” After the video made its rounds on social media, a woman went to the police to report that in March 2023, the woman in the video stole her dog. 2 NEWS interviewed the woman who filed the police reports and who wants to be referred to as Ali.


Ali explained to 2 NEWS that she tried to sell an 8-week-old Pitbull named Baby Yoda to the woman who is now being sought by the police. According to Ali, the woman and her boyfriend took off with the dog without paying. Ali said she was able to finally file a police report after the video circulated the internet and she learned the woman’s name and what she did to the puppy.


WHIO did not publish the video in its entirety “as it is disheartening and disturbing.”

The news outlet reports that in the video “…a woman is seen threatening to hit a dog in a crate, several times. Later in that video, the dog appears to be dead in a trash bag.”


Cynthia James, Public Information Officer for the Kettering Police Department, told 2 NEWS that they have had “a lot of frustration with people believing there is a lack of transparency on our end or that we are not going to be pursuing charges because of us not entirely being aware of the full details quite yet.”


To this regard, Kettering Police wrote on their Facebook page: “We'd like to address some concerns we've received regarding the ongoing investigation mentioned in our previous post. Please keep in mind that due to Ohio's public records laws, we are restricted in how much information we can provide on incidents that are still actively being investigated. We also will not disclose to the public all of the information we do know during an investigation in order to maintain the integrity of the case. This is standard practice for all cases, not just this one. Just because we have a suspect identified, does not mean we can go charge them for an offense without knowing the rest of the details. Also, not everyone keeps their information updated on their drivers license or with the BMV, which then causes additional investigation to figure out where someone may be living or staying. Unfortunately, not everyone has established residency in a permanent home and therefore may move locations frequently. It should also be noted that at this time, it is believed the video being circulated was created some time ago and was only just now posted to social media, which is the main cause of unknown as to where the incident took place. Before making an arrest, we must first establish not only probable cause that a specific incident happened at a specific location in our city, but furthermore determine that we have jurisdiction over where it occurred. Hopefully this information helps explain some of the questions and concerns we've gotten over the past 24 hours. As always, feedback and suggestions are welcome.”


Police said anyone who has information about this case is encouraged to contact Sgt. Mason at (937) - 296 - 2595. Thank you!


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.






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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Jul 10, 20233 min read

ELLIOTT PALMER, Lorain Police officer, murdered a young Labrador because he feared for his life

- Ohio, USA -


I cannot begin to imagine what a person goes through when their beloved furbaby is murdered by someone who swore to protect and serve!


Not just in Lorain County Ohio, but across the globe people are furious, indignant, disappointed, and most of all, heartbroken by what happened to an innocent 3-year-old Labrador/golden retriever mix named Dixie.


Ms. Tammie Kerns recounted with 3News what happened on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

It was early afternoon when four of her dogs got scared by nearby fireworks and got out of the house, so with the help of her daughter Mellenie she tried to round them up to get them back inside the home on Oberlin Avenue near 8th Street, Lorain.

Some news outlets reported that the dogs got loose as Tammie and her daughter were getting ready to leave to run some errands.


Body camera footage of the incident has been released and calls for justice for Dixie are growing louder than ever.


According to Tammie, a Lorain Police officer, identified as ELLIOTT PALMER, pulled up to her home, exited the vehicle, and told her and her daughter to get the dogs under control.

During the commotion, Dixie ran out into the street.


The graphic footage shows Dixie wagging her tail while playfully running toward her murderer. PALMER claimed he feared for his life and instead of firing a shot in the air, he fired at Dixie. The furbaby then collapsed and ran away into the street while she was bleeding. Sadly, Dixie died at the scene. Dixie did not die right away and did not die comforted by her family because as Tammie walked towards PALMER, he ordered her to stay away from her dog. In the distance Dixie can be seen dragging herself toward the sidewalk, alone, frightened, and confused.


Tammie rightfully told 3News: “After she was shot one time in the street, he should have just let it go and let us get the dog and take her where she needed to be treated. But he didn't do that. She was crawling -- useless, helpless -- in the street. He continued shooting her as she was trying to come to safety, and he just kept shooting her three more times after the first time.”


The video has been watched countless times and shared across the globe. Despite what we can all see, Captain Michael Failing, Acting Chief of Police, said in a media release that “an officer of the Lorain Police Department used force on a dog.”

I call what I saw murder!


On Friday, July 7, 2023, a Justice for Dixie rally took place outside the Lorain Police Department. The rally was held to show support for Dixie’s family, and to call for the removal of her murderer from the Lorain Police Department.

News 5 reports that Lorain Police Lt. Jacob Morris spoke with the crowd and said: “It’s great to see the concern from the community. It doesn’t have to be flattering, but it tells us exactly what concerns our community. I want to offer our condolences to the Kerns family; regardless of the situation, they're dealing with the loss of a family member, and it hurts to even say that we were involved in that.” Lt. Morris went on to say: “I know there is outrage, hurt, anger, but all of this makes a difference. We hope that it can make us better in the long run. This is about Dixie, but it certainly does open some doors up of conversations that need to be had.”


Dixie’s family repeatedly made a point that they do not approve any form of violence or threats against PALMER.

According to News 5, Jack Bradley, Lorain’s Mayor, told the news agency that PALMER is working desk duty while an internal investigation is ongoing.


WKYC reports that Lorain police said PALMER “is a young officer who is only been on the force two to three years.” Meanwhile Dixie’s family rightfully wants to sue the Department “if justice is not served.”


On Sunday, July 9, 2023, a vigil took place to remember Dixie. As reported by The Chronicle, Tammie said the turnout was further evidence of how much support the family has and how their story has touched people. Tammie said: “I am speechless, I am amazed. I want to thank everyone in our community and outside that came out today to show their support.”


I echo Tammie’s words, “He should lose his job. He should go to jail. He should rot.”


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.







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