In Kingston Township, Ohio, Robert Phillips Jr. has been charged with 30 counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals after Delaware County authorities found 40 dogs living in poor conditions on his property on Sunday.
According to the Humane Society of Delaware County, the Delaware County Dog Warden’s office received numerous complaints over the weekend regarding a property in Kingston Township. Following an investigation, a search warrant was executed on April 7th, 2024. With the assistance of the Delaware County Humane Society and other agencies, 40 dogs, believed to mostly be pit bulls or pit bull mixes, were removed from the location. The raid took about three hours. The dogs are reported to be about five to 10 pounds underweight.
According to reports, this is not the first time concerns have been raised about the animal welfare at the property. Dog Warden Mitchell Garrett stated that his office had been aware of Phillips since he moved to the county in 2020. While previous visits found a smaller number of dogs in acceptable condition, recent complaints indicated a significant increase in the number of animals and a decline in their well-being.
The rescued dogs are currently being cared for at the Delaware County Dog Shelter and the Delaware County Humane Society facility. Their medical condition is being assessed, and they will be available for adoption once they are healthy enough.
Check out the brief video clip:
Over the last five years, HSDC have cared for nearly 8,700 animals because of the generosity of our hundreds of donors and volunteers. We are so grateful for their support, and for the way they stepped in to help with this case and so many others. All of us believe in protecting the health and safety of Delaware County people and their pets.
Press release
This case highlights the importance of reporting suspected animal cruelty. If you believe an animal is being neglected or abused, please contact your local animal control agency or humane society. For more information how you can volunteer, foster or donate, please click here.
Here are some additional resources for reporting animal cruelty:
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): https://www.aspca.org/investigations-rescue/recognizing-and-reporting-animal-abuse-and-neglect
- The Humane Society of the United States: https://www.humanesociety.org/
It is important to note that Robert Phillips Jr. is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
