Ohio Sheep Need Your Help

Since June 2007, caring residents of Johnstown, Ohio, have been monitoring a flock of sheep located at 9100 Northridge Rd. and filing complaints about their owner. The sheep—reportedly owned by David Tuggle—were allegedly neglected and denied adequate food, water, and veterinary care. Although a dead ewe was photographed on the property in question in June 2007 and recommendations to improve the care of the animals were made to the owner, local authorities said that they did not find grounds to file charges or remove the animals at that time. Officials said that they would continue to monitor the situation closely.

PETA has just learned that nine additional sheep recently died on the property in question. Regardless of whether the sheep are dying from scrapies (a fatal brain disease that might have infected this herd), malnutrition (our complainants allege that Tuggle is still not feeding them), or a combination of the two, it is cruel and a violation of Ohio law to allow these animals to languish, suffer, and die because of disease or malnutrition.

Please call on officials to ensure that the remaining sheep are provided with the care that they require and deserve—including immediate veterinary care or euthanasia for any animals who are currently in distress. Please also ask authorities to pursue criminal charges and seizure if their findings merit such measures.