By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - An Oxford woman escaped criminal charges after she voluntarily gave up 30 dogs after first refusing to move them from the Oxford Township farm where she had been living.

"Several of the dogs were sick and one of them tested positive for parvo," said Butler County Dog Warden Renee Jeffries.

Four of the dogs were euthanized because of parvovirus, a viral infection that is extremely contagious.

The other 26 dogs are being vaccinated and prepared for possible adoption.

Anita Baker, 52, told officials she couldn't care for the dogs, 27 of which are pugs, and turned them over to officials, Jeffries said. Baker had kept the dogs on the farm, but that property was recently sold, and she refused the new owner's request to remove the animals.

"She's continued to keep the animals out here at this location and has repeatedly not cared for them properly," Jeffries said. "Mrs. Baker has had quite a few complaints on her."

Baker could not be reached for comment.

Most of the dogs were taken to Columbus by Ohio Pug Rescue, an organization that works to get pug dogs adopted, Jeffries said.

Baker was charged with five counts of animal cruelty in connection with an incident in May when officials say they found the dogs without food and water.

She was not charged in the current incident because she agreed give up ownership of the dogs, Jeffries said.

"In lieu of charges, we requested that she sign the dogs over ... so that we could speed up veterinary care and placement," Jeffries said. "Unfortunately in all of this, we lost four dogs, but we have a good outcome for 26."

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E-mail daveck@fuse.net