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Oct 2, 2012

What happened to the abused German shepherd?

I was wondering if you could gives us an update on Star the German Shepherd. — Amy from Perkins Township

I called Erie County Dog Warden Barb Knapp and asked her for the latest information on Star, the German Shepherd dog found by a local family on Aug. 5 with a severe wound from an embedded rope around her neck. Knapp said Star went through a second surgery to repair her neck wound and she is doing well. Star was staying with a foster family that planned to adopt her — but when she was introduced to the family's cats the meeting didn't go well. So, Star's foster family is working with the dog pound to select one of 11 potential adoptive homes. Knapp is confident Star will find a loving forever home with one of the many folks interested in adopting her. Knapp said she's also appreciative that community donations covered all of Star's medical bills for repairing her wound.

The man accused of inflicting Star's injuries, James Ryerson, 56, of the 1700 block of Mills St., faces up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine if he's found guilty of animal cruelty. He was scheduled for trial in Sandusky Municipal Court, but the date has been postponed. A new date has not yet been scheduled.

The Mailbag is a daily feature on SanduskyRegister.com. Every weekday at noon, we will post one question-and-answer from a resident. To ask a question, send a letter to The Mailbag at 314 W. Market St., or e-mail mailbag@sanduskyregister.com. Please include your first name and a location in the e-mail, e.g. “John from Decatur Street."

Comments

Sit n Spin
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:26pm

Speaking of German Sheperds what ever happened to Justice?

ladydye_5
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 1:43pm

I think the penalty needs to be MORE. That is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. I bet he doesn't even spend a day in jail!

HEYMUFFETT
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 3:03pm

ladydye_5, check to see if Ohio HB108 was ever signed and passed. This would answer your statement, and perhaps cause people to be more aware of these bills when they come up in Columbus.

Julie R.
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 3:19pm

I agree. The penalty needs to be a LOT more but we all know the idiot won't get jack-sheet.

SamAdams
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 3:34pm

Ohio is infamous nationally for its "slap-on-the-wrist' mentality where animal abuse is concerned. So far, though several legislative attempts have been made to upgrade the level of the crime, none have been successful. As far as I'm concerned, the latter is almost as shameful as the former!

HEYMUFFET is right. Google HB108. Then google or otherwise look up the contact info for your State Rep and State Senator. It's past time we all took this kind of crime as seriously as is warranted, and that punishment is ratcheted up (big time!) accordingly.

nosey rosey
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 3:48pm

Here is the link to Nitro's law. Call or e-mail senator Niehaus and tell him that we want this bill brought to the senate floor for a vote before they retire for the year. www.nitrofoundation.com

Scarlett
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 5:57pm

@sit n spin, Justice can be heard on the video of the officers apprehending that Juan guy. I also saw the K9 unit driving around Saturday.

queenjhb
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 6:50pm

Ryerson needs to pay for all of Stars medical bills and never be allowed to have a pet again, jail time and fines , mandatory, no slideing....

luvblues2
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 7:17pm

Not to break the chain, but whatever happened in the dragged donkey case?

BEHAPPY
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 7:51pm

How do you put your name in for adopting the dog? Do you have to know someone or is it just whoever puts their name in? At the dog pound? I've been looking for a German Shepherd ever since I lost my last one~love the dogs~just don't like having to pay high price for them when there are so many homeless shepherds.