Woman Who Nearly Starved Her Dog To Death Receives Maximum Sentence

Bogey, a pit bull who was almost starved to death by his heartless owner, has finally received some form of justice, writes blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood

Ohio woman, Ashley Roderick, pleaded guilty to starving Bogey, a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, and received the maximum sentence allowed.

Bogey was surrendered to Lucas County Pit Crew weighing only 18 pounds and unable to stand. They said at the time of rescue he was basically a skeleton. He was in critical condition and the staff was unsure if he would survive.

But they refused to give up on him and the survivor pulled through.

In addition to be malnourished, the sweet boy had a ruptured right eye that needed to be removed, but he was too weak for surgery. He slowly started to regain his strength and months later received the necessary eye surgery.

“The suffering that he has gone through was completely unnecessary and people need to realize there are consequences to doing that to someone else,” Jean Keating, the executive director of the Lucas County Pit Crew said shortly after his rescue.

He went to a foster home where he received around-the-clock care and made a full recovery, mentally and physically. Even after all the pain he endured, he remained a happy dog. His playful personality started to shine and he focused on having fun while his “crew” waited for the trial of his neglectful owner.

Everyone was anxious for justice for Bogey, but the trial was delayed several times. “No worries Bogey, we will stay the course and no matter how long it takes, will continue to show up and speak out for you,” posted the shelter.

The date was finally set for the trial – more than a year after Bogey was rescued.

“People tell me it’s a miracle that I am alive. I wasn’t ready for my story to end and with an entire crew behind me, I fought for my life. I hope tomorrow brings closure for my crew,” wrote the shelter before the trial.

Roderick appeared in court before Judge Lindsay Navarre and pleaded guilty. “Bogey would have been better off wandering the street, eating from Dumpsters, than he was in your care — or, quite frankly, lack thereof,” said the judge before charging Roderick with animal cruelty.

She was sentenced to a minimum of 180 days at a corrections center and ordered to pay for all of Bogey’s medical bills, totaling $3494. While many people wish the penalty was more severe, justice was finally served for Bogey.