Court docs: Deputies already aware of woman accused of keeping 90 dogs in 'horrific' state

Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read
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It was no secret in Butler County that Ronda Murphy's dog rescue operation was housing too many dogs.

Neighbors say they'd complained, and authorities were also already aware of 60-year-old Murphy, operator of the animal rescue where dozens of dogs were found living in squalid conditions, court filings show.

Murphy was arrested Wednesday morning after being released from Atrium Medical Center and charged with a single felony count of cruelty to companion animals and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to companion animals.

She appeared before Middletown Municipal Judge James E. Sherron for an arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Her bond was set at $2,500 for each count.

Ronda Murphy is arraigned in Middletown Municipal Court, Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Murphy is charged with numerous charges relating to cruelty to dogs she had at her home in Madison Township. She had over 100. At least 30 were dead when authorities came in and the others were malnourished and sick. The dogs are under the care of the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton. Bond was set at $25,000.

She only has to pay 10% of that amount to be released from Middletown Jail, where she was taken after her arrest.

Butler County sheriff's deputies and deputy dog wardens responded July 27 to Murphy's home on Mosiman Road in Madison Township to check on the welfare of dogs living there, according to a criminal complaint.

More: Saving 86 dogs from an inhumane shelter was just the beginning. Now what?

Murphy runs the Helping Hands for Furry Paws animal rescue from the Mosiman Road property and a property just down the street on Eck Road, the sheriff's office said.

The complaint says authorities were already aware of Murphy due to prior calls.

It's unclear from the court record how many complaints were made about the rescue. The Enquirer has requested copies of citizen complaints made to the sheriff's office about those properties.

When the deputies spoke with Murphy, the document states, they told her of a new welfare check complaint and asked to see the dogs on both properties.

In total, they found 90 dogs, including five litters of nursing puppies, all living without water or air conditioning and in their own feces.

Dogs cages are spread out in the front lawn of Ronda Murphy’s home in Madison Township. Murphy was arraigned in Middletown Municipal Court, Wednesday, August 2, 2023. She is charged with numerous charges relating to cruelty to dogs she had at her home. She had over 100. At least 30 were dead when authorities came in and the others were malnourished and sick. The dogs are under the care of the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton. Bond was set at $25,000.

"All the dogs were living in horrific conditions," a deputy wrote in the complaint.

Authorities also found about 30 dead dogs, mostly inside refrigerators and freezers, with bodies decomposed or liquified and unable to be removed, the complaint states.

All of the living animals were seized along with the remains of 18 dogs.

More charges may be filed against Murphy as the investigation continues, officials say. If convicted of the current charges, she could spend up to a year behind bars.

What is Helping Hands for Furry Paws?

State business records show Helping Hands for Furry Paws was established as a nonprofit in July 2016.

"Here at Helping Hands For Furry Paws, we are driven by a single goal to save as many dogs as we can. We love seniors and believe every dog deserves a chance," the animal rescue's mission statement reads.

Cans of Pedigree chicken and rice dog food are stacked in the front lawn of Ronda Murphy’s home in Madison Township. Murphy was arraigned in Middletown Municipal Court, Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Murphy is charged with numerous charges relating to cruelty to dogs she had at her home. She had over 100. At least 30 were dead when authorities came in and the others were malnourished and sick. The dogs are under the care of the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton. Bond was set at $25,000.

Its status with the Ohio Secretary of State's Office was changed to canceled in July 2021 for failure to file a statement of continued existence.

The animal rescue's tax exempt status was also revoked by the IRS for failure to file informational tax forms three years straight, records show.

The Eck Road property was listed as the primary address for Helping Hands for Furry Paws, records show.

In court, Murphy said she's lived in Madison Township more than 10 years.

Megan Poffenbarger, intake coordinator at Animal Friends Human Society in Hamilton, told The Enquirer she first heard about issues at Helping Hands for Furry Paws when she became the county's dog warden in 2020.

Dog wardens before her were aware of problems at the rescue for five to six years, she said, but no one was able to find a solution.

Shelter seeking donations to care for dogs

The Animal Friends Humane Society is taking care of 86 of the rescued dogs while they remain on a court hold, which means they're unable to be put up for adoption.

Take a peek at the rescued dogs Saving 86 dogs from an inhumane shelter was just the beginning. Now what?

A bond hearing regarding the fate of the dogs will be scheduled sometime this week, the sheriff's office said.

Though donations have been pouring in since the case was made public, the humane society is still seeking more, as well as foster care providers to assist with the large number of animals currently at the shelter.

Anyone interested in donating should go to Animal Friends Humane Society online.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Calls made before about rescue where 90 dogs found living in squalor