PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio — Barbara Wible, the 69-year-old woman facing numerous charges of cruelty to animals connected to the deaths of 160 dogs in Cuyahoga and Portage counties, has died.
3News' Lynna Lai confirmed the news Thursday morning through the Portage County Sheriff's Office. Lai reports that Portage County Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci says Wible's criminal cases will be closed. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, meanwhile, says the state will also be filing a motion to dismiss as abated by death.
Lai confirmed that Wible passed away on Jan. 28.
The case against Wible began last year when she was indicted “for severely neglecting 36 dogs at her Parma residence,” which authorities say resulted in the deaths of 14.
The prosecutor's office says the situation dates back to June 2 when Parma police and fire responded to a welfare check at a residence near West 54th Street and West Ridgewood Drive.
“When officers arrived, there was a strong odor coming from the residence and numerous dog cages and feces were found inside the garage,” according to a previous press release.
The investigation showed a total of 36 dogs were locked in cages inside the residence for an extended period of time, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office.
“All 36 dogs found were without food or water, some dogs had not been fed since March,” the press release continued.
Wible, who was the president and co-founder of a dog rescue known as Canine Lifeline, also faced similar charges in Portage County where authorities say 146 dogs were found dead at her property in Mantua back on June 16.
Lai spoke with Amy Belcher, executive director of PAWS Ohio, for reaction to Wible's death.
"What I would say is that I am grateful to the Portage and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor offices for charging her accordingly under 959.131 (c) for her egregious, torturous, inhumane treatment of companion animals in her care. Her crimes were compounded by her assertion that she was the executive director of a foster home-based rescue with a mission to rescue these dogs but instead her direct action/inaction led to incredible suffering and their needless deaths," said Beichler.
"In my belief she will be judged accordingly by someone greater than myself," she added.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THE CASE FROM 3NEWS...
- Barbara Wible faces Cuyahoga County judge in Parma animal cruelty case involving multiple dog deaths
- 3News Investigates: Portage County woman arraigned on animal cruelty charges after 146 dogs found dead at her Mantua home; trial set for Oct. 24
- Portage County woman facing 146 charges of animal cruelty after dead dogs found at Mantua home
- 146 dogs found dead at Mantua home: Woman faces judge from hospital in Portage County case
- Operator of dog rescue whose Parma home allegedly contained 36 neglected dogs indicted on felony charges
- Criminal charges filed against woman whose Mantua home contained 146 dead dogs
- Police: Woman who owns Mantua house where 146 dogs found dead had another 36 dogs at Parma home