Crestline man gets 180 days in jail for neglect, abuse of dog

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For the first time, a defendant charged with cruelty of animals after an investigation by the Crawford County Human Society, has been sentenced to time in jail.

Crawford County Humane Agent Tami Rike said on Thursday that Robert E. Burdine Jr., 62, Crestline, was found guilty of the first-degree misdemeanor charge.

Burdine was sentenced by Crawford County Municipal Court Judge Shane Leuthold to 180 days in jail with 91 days sentenced. After he is released from serving 89 days in jail, Burdine will be placed on community control for five years.

“He is not allowed to even own a gold fish in the future,” Rike said.

Rike received an anonymous tip on Aug. 10 that a dog on Burdine’s property had a metal choker collar embedded in his neck.

“I went to the home but no one was there. The dog was in the backyard and I found that his collar was so tight that his skin had grown over it. I seized the dog and left a notice on the door of the residence,” Rike said.

Rike said the male white Husky was taken to a local veterinarian where the collar had to be surgically removed. Burdine was also ordered by Leuthold to pay the veterinarian bills for the dog.

“We want people to know that we do follow up on all complaints we receive. We are very happy that this man was sentenced to jail time,” Rike said in a phone interview on Thursday morning.

Rike said she hopes a message is sent to animal owners throughout the county that they can and will be prosecuted for the neglect or abuse of animals.

The three-year-old Husky is now up for adoption at the Crawford County Humane Society, 3590 Ohio 98, Bucyrus, but with special considerations. The agency had to wait until Burdine’s court case was concluded before they could place the beautiful Husky up for adoption.

“He cannot ever have a collar around his neck so he will need a harness instead,” Rike said.

According to the Humane Society, a fenced in yard is recommended for the dog. He is considered friendly but can get worked up easily and will need lots of work to undo the trauma of his injury, his incarceration, and the excitement of a new start.

Rike said that she encourages residents to call the Humane Society about abused or neglected animals.

“We do not need the name of the person calling, just the address of the location of the animal to we can investigate. Anonymous tips are fine,” Rike said.

For more information or to inquire about adopting the white Husky call The Humane Society at 419-562-9149.

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By Kimberly Gasuras

Galion Inquirer

 

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