Target: Mathias H. “Mat” Heck, Jr., Montgomery County Prosecutor, City of Dayton
Goal: Ensure full prosecution of animal neglect charges, long-term animal ownership prohibition, and systemic safeguards to prevent repeat hoarding and neglect cases.
A suspected animal neglect case has come to light in Dayton, Ohio, after the Humane Society of Greater Dayton rescued 33 animals from a reportedly condemned home on Old Orchard Avenue. Authorities removed 31 cats, one dog, and one opossum from a residence that apparently lacked running water and was filled with trash, feces, insects, and the remains of deceased animals.
Investigators reported that many animals were confined in cramped cages and carriers where waste had accumulated to the point that cats were pressed against the tops of their enclosures. Eight cats were apparently found in a separate, unheated storage unit. All rescued animals seemingly showed signs of prolonged neglect, including infections, injuries, and parasite infestations.
The homeowner, 69-year-old Gale Leibrock, now faces multiple criminal charges and is currently held in the Montgomery County Jail. The City of Dayton has condemned the property. This case reflects a long-term pattern of suspected neglect that escalated unchecked and resulted in extreme suffering.
Animal hoarding and prolonged neglect are not isolated personal failures. They are public safety and welfare issues that require firm legal accountability and preventative oversight. Sign below to demand accountability.
PETITION LETTER:
To Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr.,
We are writing to demand full accountability following the rescue of 33 animals from a reportedly condemned home on Old Orchard Avenue in Dayton. The conditions documented by investigators show prolonged, severe neglect involving confinement, unsanitary living conditions, and deceased animals left inside the residence.
These animals seemingly endured sustained suffering over an extended period. The scale and duration of this suspected neglect require decisive legal action, including vigorous prosecution of all charges, a permanent prohibition on animal ownership, and court-mandated interventions to prevent recurrence.
We also urge the City of Dayton and relevant agencies to review how this situation escalated without earlier intervention. Systems must be strengthened so warning signs of hoarding and neglect are identified and addressed before conditions become catastrophic.
Justice for these animals means more than rescue after the fact. It means accountability, prevention, and meaningful safeguards to ensure such cruelty is never repeated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Elyssa Albert
