Dog breeder faces 30 charges after 40 animals were seized

The Delaware County dog warden has filed 30 misdemeanor charges against a dog breeder after 40 dogs living chained outside were removed Sunday afternoon from his property near Sunbury. The charges, filed Thursday in Delaware County Municipal Court, accuse the man of violating Ohio's laws about companion animals and failing to register dog kennels at the property on the 7400 block of Kilbourne Road.

A warrant is pending on the complaint, court records state, and his bond is set at $2,500. All of the charges are first-degree and second-degree misdemeanors. The former each carry a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, and the latter each carry up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

Delaware County Dog Warden

Mitchell Garrett cannot comment on open cases, a spokesperson for the Delaware County Commissioners said in an email. Garrett has previously said the 40 dogs were living outside on the property chained in wet and muddy conditions with plastic barrels for shelter, and that most of the dogs were underweight. Officials had received multiple complaints about the property since 2020, but were previously unable to act, according to Garrett.

Garrett said there were previously as few as six dogs living at the property and they were being taken care of within the standards of the law.

Authorities were able to secure a warrant after a witness came forward Friday willing to make a statement using their name, Garrett said.

Videos and images of the dogs chained outside went viral on social media on Saturday in between the recent complaint being made and authorities raiding the property.