Woodville Twp. man is charged with cruelty

10/18/2013

WOODVILLE — A 73-year-old Woodville Township man charged with assault during an investigation of animal cruelty at his residence now faces 15 counts of animal cruelty.

The additional charges against Thomas Linke, 4632 Sandusky County Road 16, were filed Wednesday in Sandusky County Court District 2, Woodville, by Kelly Askins, Humane Society of Sandusky County shelter manager and animal cruelty investigator.

The charges stem from the condition of 12 goats, one sheep, and two cattle that were removed from Mr. Linke’s property Oct. 8. He was charged with assault after he allegedly tried to hit investigators with his vehicle as they looked into the animal-cruelty case at his residence.

He will be arraigned on the new charges Nov. 27 at 9:45 a.m. during a pretrial appearance for the two assault charges.

Mr. Linke has been released on his own recognizance for the assault charges, said Norman Solze, a Sandusky County assistant prosecutor.

To donate to help in the recovery of the animals, visit www.hs-sc.org or call 419-334-4517.