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STEFFEN EVAN BALDWIN, former Union County humane agent, sentenced for animal cruelty

- Ohio, USA -


So many people have been waiting for this….


On March 13, 2025, in Union County Common Pleas Court, Franklin County Judge Daniel Hogan sentenced 44-year-old STEFFEN EVAN BALDWIN (pictured) for animal cruelty, bribery, and other charges.


BALDWIN, alias STEFFEN FINKELSTEIN, is co-founder of the Underdog Alliance in California, former chief humane agent for the Union County Humane Society in Ohio, and former executive director of Top of Ohio Pet Shelter in Logan County also in Ohio.


Union County Court of Common Pleas records show that BALDWIN was facing fifty-three counts in total, several relating to animal abuse.


According to prosecutors, BALDWIN, who once presented himself as an animal rights activist, misled supporters into believing he was rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, instead, he needlessly euthanized innocent dogs and kept raising money for the Voiceless Victims he had already put down.


During the trial, prosecutors argued that BALDWIN used his position to deceive donors and described him as a manipulative figure. Prosecutors also said that BALDWIN euthanized at least eight dogs to make space for others he was paid to train.


Judge Hogan sentenced BALDWIN to fifteen and a half years in prison, with twenty-three days of jail credit. BALDWIN will not be eligible for release before serving at least seven years and nine months. After serving prison time, BALDWIN will be placed on a five-year probation during which time he is to be subject to random drug screening, to be ineligible to leave Ohio, and to be ineligible to own a firearm.

Additionally, the judge imposed an indefinite ban on BALDWIN “owning” companion animals in the state of Ohio.


Investigators say BALDWIN’s crimes date back years, but the case would never have come together without the help of Angelo and Litsa Kargakos, furparents of Remington, known as Remi.


Back in 2020, 10TV interviewed Litsa and Angelo. The couple said that in 2016, they reached out to BALDWIN and he was prepared to work with Remi. Litsa and Angelo gave BALDWIN $1,000 and placed their baby Remi in his care.


10TV reports that within months, Litsa “saw red flags” and asked BALDWIN to see Remi “to check on his progress but was always denied.”


The situation got to the point where Litsa threatened to go to the county commissioners if she didn’t hear from BALDWIN and she and Angelo put up posters offering a reward for more information about Remi’s whereabouts.

Only at that point BALDWIN contacted Litsa and Angelo and asked them for a mediation session with an attorney to explain what happened.


Litsa recounted the devastating facts and told 10TV: “He fabricated a story and stated that Remi broke out of his kennel and that he attacked and killed another dog, and then he had to euthanize Remi due to the wounds. I didn’t believe any aspect of the story at that point, and he said that he had to euthanize Remi due to the horrific wounds that he had, and we came to find out that Remi didn’t have one mark on him when he was euthanized.”


Litsa and Angelo created a Facebook Group in honor of their baby Remi, Justice 4 Remi. Part of a post published after BALDWIN’s sentence read: “We can finally close this chapter of our lives and begin to heal from the loss of Remi. I know that Remi did not die in vain. I know that Remi’s death triggered the investigation that helped 18 total dogs get justice against the monster who stole their lives. I know that because of Remi Steffen Baldwin will be serving a substantial prison sentence. I know because of Remi no more animals will be hurt under Steffens care.”


Just like Litsa, I too wish BALDWIN would have gotten life in prison!


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.


BALDWIN’s mugshot shared from the Tri-County Regional Jail




 
 
 

LYNETTE AYALA charged with animal cruelty for shooting a neighbor’s dog with a pellet gun

- Massachusetts, USA -


Detectives with the New Bedford Police Department have charged 32-year-old LYNETTE AYALA with animal cruelty.


The charges stem from an incident that took place on March 1, 2025, when officers responded to a home on Clifford Street and met with a woman who reported that her dog was possibly shot with a pellet gun.


WJAR identified the dog as a 1-year-old female French Mastiff named Zuri and her guardian, the woman who called the police, as Yolanda Todman.


Zuri was playing in the fenced-in yard of her home when she was shot. Security cameras from Ms. Todman’s home captured the sound of two loud bangs. Zuri began limping in pain, she was visibly injured, and in the video published by WJAR she could be heard crying.


After an investigation into the incident, AYALA was charged with animal cruelty but police tell me she was not arrested.


Ms. Todman explained to WJAR that she had casual interactions with AYALA but never expected her to do this. She said: “I don’t have any problems around here with anybody. So I just don’t know why.”


Zuri is still in pain and the medical expenses are costly. A member of Zuri’s family has created a GoFundMe to help cover Zuri’s medical care. At the time of writing, $2,095 has been raised.

New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira said: “Animal cruelty is a serious offense, and we will not tolerate it in our community. Thanks to the swift work of our animal control officers and detectives, we were able to take action in this case. We remain committed to seeking justice for innocent animals and ensuring the safety of all residents.”


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the New Bedford Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.




 
 
 

SHANE LAWSON TANNER JR arrested after many dogs were found to be living in horrific conditions

- Georgia, USA -


The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office arrested 27-year-old SHANE LAWSON TANNER JR (pictured), of Douglas.


On the afternoon of March 4, 2025, a deputy responded to a home on Elzie Anderson Road following an animal cruelty call. Upon arrival, the deputy could hear multiple dogs barking inside the home and was overwhelmed by a strong smell of feces and urine.

The deputy then called Animal Control for assistance.


The homeowner gave the deputy and the ACO permission to enter the residence. Once inside the home, officers found eight small dogs living in appalling conditions. The Voiceless Victims were surrounded by piles of trash, feces and urine. The deputy reported that all the windows were closed and described the odor as “rancid.”


According to the deputy, the dogs appeared to be malnourished and questioned the homeowner about them. The homeowner, TANNER’s father, explained that he had been paying his son to care for the dogs but failed to do so. He also added that although he had been buying food for the dogs, his son would just give them a little amount. TANNER’s father went on to say that his son never took the dogs outside and never cleaned up after them.


Animal Control removed all of the dogs and TANNER was arrested on cruelty to animals charges. He was booked into the Coffee County Jail and released after posting bond.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.



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