Toledo woman pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges

The Humane Society seized several animals, including this dog, from a trailer in the Twinwall Village Mobile Home Park.

A Toledo woman pleaded not guilty Friday to 22 counts of animal cruelty after authorities seized more than two dozen animals from her West Toledo trailer this week.

Sheila Ortmann entered her pleas in Toledo Municipal Court, where her next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.

The 22 dogs, a cat, and a bird were taken from the trailer inside the Twinwall Village Mobile Home Park on Tremainsville Road. One of the dogs was dead when Humane Society cruelty investigators arrived.

The charges are a misdemeanor and carry a possible prison term of no more than 90 says and $750 fine per count.

The animals are still being treated for “a number of medical issues,” according to the Toledo Area Humane Society. All of the dogs were covered in fleas. One dog had a prolapsed eye and had to have the eye removed, the society said.

Several dogs have been cleared a medical and behavioral waiver and will be available for adoption beginning Saturday.