UNION TOWNSHIP — Eastgate Animal Hospital has received more than 100 inquiries about three puppies whose tails were chopped off.

Three Labrador-mix puppies - Iris, Lilly and Belle - are held by Roncy Roehm and Marty Monk. They will be put up for adoption. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        A Stonelick Township man, who allegedly had threatened to kill them, has been charged in the case.

        The puppies, estimated to be 8 weeks old, were brought to the animal hospital Friday evening by their rescuers — a woman, her boyfriend and his brother — after George Goodin, 54, turned them over to the two men when they showed up last week at his home, Clermont County authorities said.

        Mr. Goodin has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, a second-degree misdemeanor. He was arraigned Tuesday in Clermont County Municipal Court. Bond was set at $5,000 and his trial date was set for March 15.

        Roncy Roehm, who works at the animal hospital, said the prognosis for the black, Labrador retriever mix puppies is good. The pups will be kept at the hospital for at least another month to make sure their tails have healed.

        “It's a gaping, open wound,” said Ms. Roehm of the pups' tails.

        “They are starting to come around. Dr. Todd Phillips (the veterinarian) said the wounds will probably take about a month to scar over. They're very timid and very afraid at first, but they're starting to come around. They huddle together like puppies do. They're going to be big girls.”

        A fourth puppy whose tail was mutilated is being held by the Clermont County Humane Society for evidence against the man.

        Debbie Lyons of Goshen Township initiated the rescue effort for the puppies. Her boyfriend's brother, Chris Dixon of Goshen, was at a carry-out in Stonelick Township more than a week ago where people had been talking about a customer who said he had black Lab puppies and wanted to get rid of them.

        “The women in there were trying to find them homes when he came in later and said he had cut their tails off,” Ms. Lyons said. “That's when I got involved.”

        She told her boyfriend, Rick Dixon, who then went and visited Mr. Goodin with Chris.

        “They told him they were there to get the puppies,” said Ms. Lyons. “He went and got the three puppies and gave them to them.”

        She said Mr. Goodin told them he had cut off their tails because the tails were knocking things off a table. She said he called the pups “table sweeper-offers.”

        Ms. Roehm said the 100 inquiries included 50 phone calls, more than 30 voice messages and other inquiries.
        People interested in adopting a puppy can come to the animal hospital at 459 Old State Route 74 in Mount Carmel to fill out an application. There will be a $150 adoption fee. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and until 2 p.m. Saturday.
       
       E-mail: lmoores@enquirer.com
       

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