Lorain dog cruelty case bound over to grand jury

A Lorain County grand jury will consider a case against a man and woman accused of animal cruelty.

At a Sept. 21 pre-trial hearing in Lorain Municipal Court, defense attorney Jack Bradley waived a preliminary hearing on behalf of Cornelius L. Charlton, 44, of Lorain and Lauren J. Souris, 36, of Cleveland.

Charlton and Souris each were charged with 21 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to companion animals.

Both pleaded not guilty July 24.

The charges will be refiled as fifth-degree felonies for consideration at the Common Pleas level.

Municipal Court Judge Mark J. Mihok ordered a $1,000 bond for the ongoing care of the four dogs still at Friendship APL and stipulated the defendants are not to own or harbor companion animals.

“There are two issues here,” Mihok said. “There is the ongoing care of the animals, and the issue of restitution at the end of the case which is not going to end today.

“But if there’s restitution for the out of pocket expenses at the APL, that will be determined by the court that will ultimately hear the case which will be the county court.”

On Aug. 10, Mihok ruled that the dogs could be fostered enabling Friendship APL to free up some of the space at their shelter.

The case stems from 21 dogs seized from a Lorain residence July 17.

Authorities were called to an address in the 1700 block of East 28th Street following an anonymous tip, police said.

Twenty one dogs including 20 cane corsos and one Brazilian mastiff were seized and placed in the care of Friendship APL.

The tipster, who was walking past the building, heard dogs barking and could smell a strong scent of dog urine and feces, authorities said.

The Morning Journal was invited inside the house, which had cages lining the walls with barking dogs and an overwhelming scent of feces and urine.

There was no sign of ventilation and no lights on in the house.

Also, 30 closed jugs of water were on the floor opposite some of the cages, but out of reach of the animals.