Toledoans sentenced for animal cruelty in dog's November starvation death

6/11/2018

Two people have been sentenced for animal cruelty after a dog starved to death in a South Toledo home last year.

Brian Roberts and Brittany Stiles, both 28, on Monday pleaded no contest to and were found guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty in Toledo Municipal Court. An additional misdemeanor cruelty charge for each was dismissed as part of a plea deal.

On Nov. 18, city police and firefighters discovered a young dog dead in a crate in the 2500 block of Foraker Avenue after a neighbor reported a horrible smell. A necropsy by the Toledo Area Humane Society determined the dog died of starvation and dehydration.

Both individuals were sentenced to 180 days in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio with 180 days suspended, one year active probation during which time they are not to own any new animals, and $40 each in restitution.

Mr. Roberts was allowed to keep one emotional support dog but was ordered to surrender a female and six puppies to the humane society and is to complete a pet care training course and 100 hours of community service. Ms. Stiles was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.