Elizabeth Lewis, 19, appeared in Hamilton Municipal Court on Wednesday morning. She has been charged with cruelty to a companion animal and failure to license. Bruiser, her young pit bull dog was so malnourished and weak, Butler County Deputy Dog Warden Tonya Hanson ordered Lewis to take Bruiser to animal control to have him humanely euthanized.
Bruiser was so weakened from starvation he fell down the steps of the Timberline Drive apartment house.
Judge Daniel Gattemeyer, the same judge who found Lewis not guilty in October 2012 of animal cruelty told Lewis she was not allowed to own or keep any animals until this case is decided.
Meanwhile at least 20 protesters carried signs supporting stricter animal cruelty laws in Ohio. A Facebook group of concerned animal defenders titled Justice for Bruiser want the maximum punishment for Lewis - should she be found guilty. In a statement today, Justice for Bruiser stated:
"I just wanted to say that I'm so incredibly proud of everyone who came out this morning! To the people who spent their whole weekend making signs, to those who made "Justice For Bruiser" shirts, and those who endured the cold, thank you! I know we had a lot of people there in spirit & you could definitely feel it! We will get Justice for Bruiser!"
According to Channel 12 News, Lewis is scheduled to appear in court on March 13. She left Hamilton Municipal Court with a police escort.
If found guilty Lewis faces six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Lewis states she is pregnant.
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