RAVENNA, Ohio — Criminal charges have been filed against the woman whose Mantua home was found to contain dozens of dead dogs, the Portage Animal Protective League announced Tuesday.
Barbara Wible, 68, faces 25 misdemeanor counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals under "Nitro's Law." Identical charges have also been levied against Wible's nonprofit, Canine Lifeline Inc.
The APL says it chose to file misdemeanor charges instead of felony ones to avoid the long process of a felony case. In addition, officials confirm Wible is currently hospitalized with terminal cancer, meaning "[a]ny conviction or punishment obtained in this case against Wible will likely be symbolic only."
"The needless suffering that these dogs endured is beyond comprehension," Portage APL Executive Director Chalan Lowry said in a statement. "They deserve justice and the Portage Animal Protective League believes that even symbolic justice is justice. We will pursue Barbara Wible's case expeditiously in an attempt to ensure that these dogs get their day in court."
Members of the APL first searched the house on state Route 82 on June 16, and were horrified to discover the remains of 146 deceased dogs "in varying stages of decay." Many of the animals were enclosed in crates, and none were found alive.
Authorities obtained a search warrant after receiving a tip from Parma, where police told 3News 36 more dogs were found inside another home owned by Wible earlier this month. She is facing felony charges of animal cruelty in connection with that case, which involved 14 of the dogs dying and the remaining 22 currently being cared for by the Parma Animal Shelter.
Following news of the conditions at Wible's property, Canine Lifeline posted a since-deleted message on Facebook claiming to be "shocked, horrified and confused by the situation." They denied any knowledge of Wible's alleged crimes, but the Portage APL claims they had been investigating her Mantua house since July of 2022, ultimately seizing 39 dogs and being unable to make further contact with Wible from August of that year onward.
"While there is no evidence that Canine Lifeline, Inc. operated with knowledge that would lend to felony charges at this time, [the additional criminal] charges relate to the nonprofit's substantial lapse of due care, its negligence, that caused the neglect and ultimate deaths of the 146 rescue dogs," the APL wrote Tuesday. "Despite a statement indicating that the rescue was cooperating with authorities, the Portage APL has not received any communication from the remaining board of directors of the organization."
Information regarding a possible court date for Wible was unavailable. The APL says it is continuing to receive tips related to the case.
3News' Ben Axelrod and Dave DeNatale contributed to this story.