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STEPHEN ANTHONY GOSSMEYER arrested – Nine dead dogs and other live starving animals found at his home

- Ohio, USA -


On March 14, 2025, the Madison County Sheriff's Office arrested 41-year-old STEPHEN ANTHONY GOSSMEYER (pictured) and charged him with animal cruelty and tampering with records.


According to the probable cause affidavit, deputies had received multiple reports regarding animal neglect at GOSSMEYER’s home suspecting also the presence of deceased animals.


Additionally, reports alerted deputies to a possible probation violation.

GOSSMEYER is on probation for a 2022 indictment on two felony charges of theft by deception.


On March 14, the probation officer accompanied deputies to GOSSMEYER’s home to conduct a search of the property that had been requested by the Chief Probation Officer.

According to the affidavit, GOSSMEYER’s probation officer asked him whether he had any deceased dogs and to that GOSSMEYER answered: “I told you already, no.”

However, upon searching the residence, deputies discovered one dead dog buried in rubble.


GOSSMEYER then stated that he did not have any more deceased dogs but according to the affidavit, deputies found eight other dead dogs.

Deputies also found seven live dogs who were extremely malnourished and starving and found evidence that the furvictims had chewed on their cages out of hunger. The search additionally led to the discovery of frogs, lizards, parrots, snakes, and spiders.


The residence was covered with piles of trash and filled with empty cages indicating clear signs of neglect.


A forensic veterinarian responded to the scene to attempt to determine the cause of death of the deceased dogs. Some of the furvictims likely starved to death, while others had been dead for so long that their bodies were decomposing.


The Animal Humane Society picked up the animals while the live dogs who were microchipped were reunited with their families.


It is alleged that GOSSMEYER came into possession of the dogs after claiming to be a trainer.

Authorities allege that GOSSMEYER lied to his probation officer about training dogs for the U.S. Border Patrol. In February of this year, GOSSMEYER asked his probation officer for permission to travel to Texas to train dogs for the agency.


According to the affidavit, on March 5, GOSSMEYER provided a document which confirmed his employment for a private K-9 detection and apprehension training seminar for U.S. Border Patrol, but the document was later proven to be falsified.


At the time of writing, online records show that GOSSMEYER remains held in the Madison County Jail on a $25,000 bond and is set to appear in court on April 28, 2025.


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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.


GOSSMEYER’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Madison County Sheriff's Office.




 
 
 

Three dead dogs found between February and March spark animal cruelty investigations in Madison County

- Texas, USA -


⚠️WARNING⚠️The photos included in the article may be upsetting to some of you⚠️


The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the public for assistance with two animal cruelty investigations after the discovery of three deceased dogs.


On February 26, 2025, two deceased dogs were found discarded in trash bags along Burns Road in Midway. The sheriff’s office identified the furvictims as an adult male chocolate Labrador and a young adult male Shepherd mix.

According to the sheriff’s office, both dogs “had apparent gunshot wounds to the abdomens and chest consistent with buckshot” and neither of them were microchipped or wearing a collar.


In a separate case, on March 12, 2025, a deceased dog was found tied to a guardrail in the 5300 block of FM 1372 in North Zulch. The furvictim was identified as an adult intact male brindle dog. The sheriff’s office said the furvictim was wearing an orange collar which was collected as evidence along with the tether. The dog was taken to Texas A&M where a necropsy was performed, courtesy of the Madisonville-based animal welfare organization Rufus Refuge.

Results showed severe trauma throughout the body. It is believed the furvictim was secured to the guardrail while still alive and subsequently was struck by a vehicle.


If you have any information, please come forward and speak up for the Voiceless Victims. Please, contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office or Madison County Texas Crime Stoppers at (936) - 348 - 3100. Alternatively, you can submit your tips anonymously to crime stoppers online. Thank you!


I took the liberty of naming the Voiceless Victims Fluffy, Forrest, and Fudge for the tribute image. Should their given names be made public, I will rectify them accordingly.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.





 
 
 

DALE P. HITEMAN, horse trainer, charged with cruelty to an animal - Video showed him whipping a mare

- Indiana, USA -


The Madison County Prosecutor’s Office announced that on October 17, 2023, 67-years-old DALE P. HITEMAN was formally charged with one count of cruelty to an animal.


The charge stems from an incident that took place on June 1, 2023, at the horse track Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson.

HITEMAN was captured whipping his 2-year-old mare named Princess Laa in her stall multiple times.


In the press release obtained by Voice For Us, the prosecutor’s office said: “A person who knowingly or intentionally abuses a vertebrate animal commits cruelty to an animal, a class A misdemeanor.”

The press release goes on to say that “abuse” is defined as “knowingly or intentionally beat, torment, injure, or otherwise harm an animal.”


According to the affidavit obtained by Voice For Us, on September 28, 2023, Prosecutor Investigator Callahan received information that someone had posted a video on YouTube showing a horse who was being struck with a whip multiple times in her stall. Callahan then talked to Hoosier Park Investigator McCallister who advised that he had already investigated the incident and identified HITEMAN as Princess Laa's guardian and trainer.


McCallister told Callahan that he reviewed the video and recounted what the footage showed. HITEMAN “can be seen placing a bridal and other equipment onto the head of the horse Princess Laa. The horse appears not to like what is being done so she flails herself up and falls to the ground in the back corner of the stall. She fell with her head into the back corner and her body diagonal outward; however, somewhat in a slight curly position.”


The affidavit also said that HITEMAN then can be seen immediately grabbing a lead and striking Princess Laa. “He struck her several times in the body and the last few strikes were to the head”, stated the affidavit. Once HITEMAN stopped whipping the defenseless mare, she was able to get up and at that point he put the damn equipment on her and took her out of the stall.


A woman who had been working with HITEMAN for two weeks, witnessed the despicable abuse and gave McCallister a verbal statement of what she saw. The woman then quit as a result of the incident.


Amanda Wilson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, examined Princess Laa and reported that “she did not observe any scrapes, cuts, welts, or other signs of physical abuse over the head, neck, body, hind end, or legs. It was her opinion there was no evidence of external or mental trauma to the horse.”


A different DVM, Lexi Webster, wrote in an email to investigators: “I do not see that this animal is either about to cause harm to itself or the handler prior to the handler striking it, and in my opinion, striking it in the face/head/neck is not appropriate and the handler is knowingly beating the animal without good cause.”


Callahan interviewed HITEMAN on October 11, 2023, and showed him the video in question.

HITEMAN has not been arrested yet. At this time of writing, court records do not list a court date for HITEMAN.


I have emailed the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office to inquire about Princess Laa’s wellbeing and see whether she has been removed. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Hanna responded: “The rules we operate under prohibit us from sharing anything further.”


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



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