ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A woman was arraigned Tuesday on felony charges related to dogs.
According to court records, Erin Magers, 50, of 57869 Main St., Martins Ferry was charged with three counts of fifth-degree felony prohibitions against companion animals. She pleaded innocent. Her plea agreement deadline will be July 31 and trial Aug. 17. She was granted a recognizance bond and ordered not to own or possess any animals.
Julie Larish, humane agent with the humane organization Belmont County Hoof & Paw, said Magers is accused of poisoning two dogs and sexually abused a third. The matter came to their attention during the investigation.
“We got called out to another issue,” Larish said when Magers’ case was at the county level. “The original complaint was on Dorsch Road in Martins Ferry, where … two dogs were poisoned and an investigation started.”
Larish said the reported poisoning occurred in July. She said there have been “ongoing issues” between Magers and the victim family.
“Both dogs survived, but one has long-term disability from it. It develops daily seizures now,” she said. “We have a vet report that actually states exactly what poison was used.”
Larish said Magers went on to “self report” during the interview.
“When we talked to Ms. Magers, she brought forward another incident with her dog, and we did a further investigation on that dog and felt the need to remove that dog from her care.”
Larish said this dog, a 5-year-old shih-tzu, was reportedly abused in February.
“We have no idea why it happened. We’ll be discussing that with the grand jury June 7,” she said. “The dog sustained back injury and other internal injuries which caused some issues with defecating. They have since been resolved. We have another issue with the dog right now that we are doctoring. The dog’s going to be long-term vet care for the foreseeable future at this point and time.”
Her group is now caring for the dog.
“We have since confiscated the dog, and it was actually court-ordered that she surrender the dog,” she said.
She added that Magers has not been arrested.
Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan did not comment on the circumstances of the case. He said felony charges in an animal abuse case have specific criteria.
“In order to rise to the level of a felony, it has to be more than neglect. There can be intentional neglect, and if that’s the case it can rise to the level of a felony offense, but in order for it to be a felony under Ohio law, you must show that the animal was a companion animal … a pet of a certain type, and that that animal suffered serious physical harm or death.”