Shelter owner sentenced for dog cruelty

BETHEL TWP, Clark County (WDTN) - The owner of a Bethel Township animal shelter, convicted of cruelty, is sentenced to five years probation and prohibited from owning a dog.

Jeff Burgess, owner of "One More Chance Rescue and Adoption" told the judge he was sorry for neglecting the nearly four-hundred dogs he housed at the Lower Valley Pike shelter.

"I apologize to the community and to all of the pets that I have unintentionally let down," said Burgess. "Im just extremely sorry and apologetic".

In February, Clark County Combined Health District officials went to Burgess' shelter and shut it down. Investigators said they found 76 dead dogs and 367 alive, but in varying stages of neglect.

Investigators also reported a rat infestation, large amounts of garbage, feces, urine and poor air quality.

"If you can not financially or emotionally care for the animals in your possession you have too many," said James Straley, Executive Director of the Clark County Humane Society.

Straley said in the past his agency tried to intervene but, Burgess refused help and as a result became overwhelmed.

Burgess' supporters said the overcrowding wasn't his fault.

"I don't think it (the shelter) really went bad," said Linda Cushman, a friend of Burgess. "I think the economy went bad. People stopped donating. People were giving their dogs away and tearing down homes. The dogs went somewhere. Maybe, if we had all taken care of a couple of dogs and not all dumped them on Jeff, he could have handled them a little better".

The judge did not agree and said the animals were Burgess' responsibility. He sentenced Burgess to five years probation and ordered that he have no contact or interaction with any animal shelter, kennel or other dog-organization.

Burgess also cannot own a pet for a year but, eventually will be able to have up to three dogs.