WHERE IN THE WORLD IS "CHINA" THE ABUSED DOG? 

Where in the world is China, Judge Lyons ?

Humane Society officials announced today that they are concerned with the whereabouts & welfare of a dog named "China." 

Last year, after getting a cruelty complaint against Otis Clark, Jr., his dog "China" was confiscated from him  and placed into the care of Leland Gordon, a local humane society officer (513) 867 - 5005,  but after adjudication of the case Clark was convicted of animal cruelty and put on probation. Amazingly, "China"  WAS RETURNED to Clark! However, one of the terms of Clarks probation was that he take proper care of the dog and keep his vet appointments.

More recently, the town dog warden and a probation department officer went to Clarks home to visit with him and "China." According to the officers, "China"  was found dirty and living in dirty living conditions outside in a pen.

During the course of the visit, it was discovered that Clark was in violation of TWO  terms of his terms of probation regarding "Chinas" care. For one, she did not have a current 2008 license on her which was required by January 31 of this year. Secondly, Clark had also not taken her to regular vet visits which were also required under the sentencing terms of his 2007 animal cruelty conviction. Based on these two violations, Clark was issued an appearance ticket to go back before Judge Lyons and answer to the two violation of probation charges. Amazingly, Judge Lyons imposed only an $80.00 fine, and no jail time! During the interm of waiting for his  hearing date to come up on the violation charges, Clark claims to have SOLD the dog! 

Concerned animal lovers have been trying to learn more information as to "Chinas" whereabouts and her welfare. Many have been in touch with the Butler County Adult Probation Department but the officials have been unwilling to release the address of where "China" is supposed to be living, and will not even allow an animal control officer to check on her!  A probation officer did tell the Humane Officer that the dog is living with an elderly woman in Hamilton County.. At this point, we just dont know if she is even where they say she is. She  could have been sold for fighting or bait, or labratory experiments, for all we really know, or chained to a tree, living outside in a pen, or maybe not. We just DONT KNOW and that IS NOT a good thing! We dont even know if the probation department has even actually seen "China" in this supposed new home!  A probation department representative stated they had no authority to search the persons house or grounds for the dog , but it seems to us that they could IF only they wanted to. Since the dog was the basis for the charge, since she was IN FACT, the victim in this case, remember -  We find it hard to believe that the probation department does not have the "authority" to check on the offenders "victims" regardless of where they live. Seems to US as the only "right thing" to do!  That same representative also stated that this matter is "resolved," indicating to us that they have no further interest in "China." We  but we are wondering just how resolved the matter could be since no one apparently really knows or is saying anything for certain, IF indeed they have any knowledge of her at all! For all intents and purposes, "China" is a missing dog. 

Judge Lyons'original sentencing clearly stated that Clark was to forfeit the dog if he did not meet the terms of his sentencing. Again, even with multiple probation violations it seems Judge Lyons has let Otis Clark Jr., a convicted animal abuser and neglecter off the hook and thew poor "Chinas'" fate  "to the wind." People are hoping that "Chinas'" new owner, whoever they may be,  will appreciate how many people at the Humane Society, as well as the people of the local community and a Nation full of animal lovers in general care about her well-being, and hopefully, maybe they will contact someone, the Humane Society or the news media or a local rescue to give us word on her. However, this may never happen and we must URGE Judge Lyons and the Butler County Adult Probation Department and the dog warden to make a consentrated effort to locate China and see to her well-being. We MUST strongly URGE  the Judge to take measures to insure that China, THE VICTIM in this case, remember, is BETTER, -not worse off then before the courts intervention." . If not, the whole PURPOSE of the judicial proceeding is rendered MEANINGLESS, FUTILE, a TRAVISTY of justice, a complete waste of time and taxpayers money,  and a FARCE!  Judge Lyons only you have the power to make things right for "China."  You would think the courts would want to know follow up on how their voiceless, helpless, blameless victims are doing after adjudication of their case! Apparently, no one "in the sytem" cares about "China" anymore....afterall, they got their conviction, and the offender paid the fine(s) and that all the really matters right? SO WHAT if their is NO justice for the victims? What else is new?

Below you will find some links to the news media publications about this case if you care to learn more;

 

Radio Broadcast with Humane Society Officer Leland Gordon;http://www.animalfriendshs.org/willie%20with%20leland5-2-08.mp3

News Blurbs;
http://www.journal-

news.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/04/30/hjn050108China.html
http://www.local12.com/guides/petcare/story.aspx?content_id=cdd9b9c0-05b7-4a10-b62b-1636497fc3a3

Please signers, call or write Judge Lyon to let him know what an OUTRAGE you think it was for him to give the abused animal back  to the abuser and how he COMPOUNDED the INSULT by failing to take any action to PROTECT the DOG after the offender was found in VIOLATION of his probation for failure to PROPERLY care for it. We must remind the good judge and others like him that it is INDEED a NEW DAWN for animal welfare legislation and enforcement of anti-cruelty laws. Courts ALL OVER the country are setting precidents! Need we to remind this Judge that dozens of studies have been done and continue to be done that show a REAL link or CONNECTION between ANIMAL ABUSE and HUMAN VIOLENCE!  Guess he missed "the red flag warnings" in this case and that is too bad for him. What if animal abuser Clark  goes on to hurt, mame, mistreat, neglect or abuse a human, most probaby a child? Could the judges failure to heed the "red flag" warnings in this case make him a culpable "partner" in the human abuse? We think so. Judges as well as law enforcement officals need to be EDUCATED as to the importance of taking animal abuse and neglect cases serious. We must SHOW them: IT IS NO LONGER "JUST" about ANIMAL ABUSE ANYMORE - THE BEHAVIOR IS A INDICATOR OF BAD THINGS TO COME!  If they dont prosecute for the sake of the animal / victim and "just being the right thing to do," then let them prosecute with an eye toward the DETERENT EFFECT a HARSH SENTENCE might have - and BY ALL MEANS , NEVER, NEVER NEVER, RETURN an animal to a convicted abuser!

Animal lovers, protectors and advocates all over the world, do it not only for "China" but for abused and neglected animals like her all over the world! Please call or write Judge Lyons and let him know how you feel about his actions or in actions in this case, let him know what kind of a message he is sending to the world by his complete indifference to the welfare of the animal victims in his courts, and by all means, ask him to please GO FIND CHINA!

Judge Lyons contact info can be found in the link below but here is the number to call: (513) 867-4748
 
http://www.butlercountyohio.org/areacourts/index.cfm?page=lyonsbio

Thanks!